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At least 253 records · Page 14

Kinetics of the reaction of nitric oxide with hydrogen

The reaction of nitric oxide with hydrogen has been studied in the temperature range 2400-4500 K using a shock-tube technique. Mixtures of NO and H2 diluted in argon or krypton were heated by incident shock waves, and the infrared emission from the fundamental vibration-rotation band of NO at 5.3 microns was used to monitor the time-varying NO concentration. The decomposition of nitric oxide behind the shock was found to be modeled well by a fifteen-reaction system. A principal result of the study was the determination of the rate constant k1 for the reaction H + NO yields N + OH, which may be the rate-limiting step for NO removal in some combustion systems. Experimental values of k1 were obtained for each test through comparisons of measured and numerically predicted NO profiles. The data are fit closely by the expression k1 = 1.34 times 10 to the fourteenth power exp(-49 200/RT) cu cm/mole-sec. These data appear to be the first available for this rate constant.

Flower, W. L.↗

Specific surface area as a maturity index of lunar fines

Mature surface fines have an equilibrium specific surface area of about 0.6 sq m/g the equivalent mean particle size being about 3 microns. The adsorption behavior of inert gases (reversible isotherms) indicates that the particles are also nonporous in the size range of pores from 10 to 3000 A. Apparently, in mature soils there is a balance in the forces which cause fining, attrition, pore filling, and growth of lunar dust grains. Immature, lightly irradiated soils usually have coarser grains which reduce in size as aging proceeds. The specific surface area, determined by nitrogen or krypton sorption at 77 K, is a valuable index of soil maturity.

Gammage, R. B.↗

A simulation experiment of photochemical reactions in the mesosphere

An ionospheric simulation experiment has been performed in a large vacuum chamber. The chamber is filled with NO and other gases including N2, O2, CO2, NH3 and H2O in the pressure range of 0.01 torr. A lamp which produces photons at 1236- and 1165-A by means of microwave discharge in krypton is utilized as an ionization source. In addition to 30+ large quantities of the water cluster ions 55+, H3O(+).(H2O)2, 73+, H3O(+).(H2O)3 and 91+, H3O(+).(H2O)4 were observed when nitric oxide and water were present. This closely approximates the condition of the terrestrial D region. After long periods of UV irradiation 74+ and 104+ ions grow in intensity. These ions are tentatively identified as NO(+).N2O and NO(+).NO.N2O. In addition the series 18+, 36+, 54+, and 72+ is detected which can be labeled NH4(+), NH4(+).(H2O), NH4(+).(H2O)2 and NH4(+).(H2O)3. These same species of ions are observed with the introduction of ammonia into the chamber. Presumably both N2O and NH3 are products of the photolysis.

Fugono, N.↗

Viking to Mars - Profile of a space expedition

The Viking spacecraft, operations, and findings are reviewed and numerous pictures are presented in an attempt to capture the atmosphere of the Viking expedition. The details of the two Viking spacecraft, each consisting of an orbiter and lander combination launched a Titan III/Centaur are described and illustrated, along with the Viking ground-data and communications system. The principal conclusions of the Viking mission to date are: detection of nitrogen, argon, krypton, and xenon; determination of isotopic ratios of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and argon; uniform diurnal meteorological conditions; determination of major elemental abundances; complex surface chemistry; no ubiquitous organic material; 4 to 7% of the sampled surface material is magnetic; discovery of ancient extensive fluvial activity; north permanent polar cap made of water ice; and significant variations of the atmospheric water vapor, the summer hemisphere being much more humid than the winter hemisphere.

Martin, J. S., Jr.↗

Absolute rate constants for O + NO + M /= He, Ne, Ar, Kr/ yields NO2 + M from 217-500 K

Rate constants for the reaction O + NO + M yields NO2 + M have been obtained at temperatures from 217-500 K in four different rare gases by a method combining flash photolysis with time resolved detection of O(3-P) by resonance fluorescence. The measured rate constants in Arrhenius form are (10.8 plus or minus 1.2) x 10 to the -33rd exp(1040 plus or minus 60/1.987 T) for helium; (9.01 plus or minus 1.16) x 10 to the -33rd exp(1180 plus or minus 70/1.987 T) for argon; (9.33 plus or minus 1.10) x 10 to the -33rd exp(1030 plus or minus 60/1.987 T) for neon; and (9.52 plus or minus 1.10) x 10 to the -33rd exp(1140 plus or minus 70/1.987 T) for krypton in units of cm to the 6th/sq molecule/s.

Michael, J. V.↗

The excess fission xenon problem in lunar samples

This paper presents noble-gas (neon, krypton, and xenon) data obtained in stepwise heating of five lunar breccias: 14063, 14082, 15205, 15405, and 15445. These data are discussed in terms of spallation gas content, cosmic-ray exposure ages, and content of fission xenon. None of these samples is rich in solar-wind gases, and none contains more fission xenon than would be expected for in situ fission of U-238 and Pu-244. The essential features of the excess-fission-xenon phenomenon seen in several Apollo 14 samples are reviewed, as are models which might account for this phenomenon and criteria by which these models may be evaluated. The lack of excess fission xenon in 14063 and 14082 eliminates models relying on microscale xenon redistribution. A model is proposed in which the excess fission xenon originates in local material and percolates through and is adsorbed on regolith material.

Drozd, R. J.↗

A feasibility study of ion implantation techniques for mass spectrometer calibration

An experimental study was undertaken to examine the feasibility of using ion-implanted filaments doped with either an alkali metal or noble gas for in situ recalibration of onboard mass spectrometers during extended space missions. Implants of rubidium and krypton in rhenium ribbon filaments were subsequently tested in a bakeable 60 deg sector mass spectrometer operating in the static mode. Surface ionization and electron impact ion sources were both used, each yielding satisfactory results. The metallic implant with subsequent ionization provided a means of mass scale calibration and determination of system operating parameters, whereas the noble gas thermally desorbed into the system was more suited for partial pressure and sensitivity determinations.

Koslin, M. E.↗

Noble gases in the Murchison meteorite - Possible relics of s-process nucleosynthesis

The Murchison carbonaceous chondrite contains a new type of xenon component, enriched by up to 50 percent in five of the nine stable xenon isotopes, mass numbers 128 to 132. This component is released at 1200 to 1600 C from a severely etched mineral fraction. Krypton shows a similar but smaller enrichment in the isotopes 80 and 82. Neon and helium released in the same interval also are quite anomalous, being highly enriched in the isotopes 22 and 3. These patterns are strongly suggestive of three nuclear processes believed to take place in red giants: the s process (neutron capture on a slow time scale), helium burning, and hydrogen shell burning. If this interpretation is correct, then primitive meteorites contain yet another kind of alien, presolar material: dust grains ejected from red giants.

Srinivasan, B.↗

Planetary noble gas components in Orgueil

In the reported investigation, the approach employed by Jeffery and Anders (1970) and Eberhardt (1974), who used colloidal suspensions in separating minerals of the Orgueil carbonaceous chondrite (C1), was extended to an application involving the enrichment of a planetary noble gas carrier in several C1 and C2 meteorites. The thermal release pattern of Orgueil 'carbon' is considered, taking into account elemental effects, a comparison of noble gas release from 'carbon' separates and bulk meteorite samples, isotopic effects, and a comparison with Murray 'carbon'. An evaluation is conducted of the noble gas components in carbonaceous chondrites. The origin of primordial noble gases in carbonaceous chondrites is also discussed, giving attention to the origin of solar gases, the role of 'carbon' as the novel vehicle for planetary gases, and plausible astrophysical sites for the production of anomalous krypton and xenon.

Frick, U.↗

Balloon-borne photoionization mass spectrometer for measurement of stratospheric gases

A balloon-borne photoionization mass spectrometer used to measure stratospheric trace gases is described. Ions are created with photons from high-intensity krypton discharge lamps and a quadrupole mass analyzer is employed for ion identification. Differential pumping is achieved with liquid helium cryopumping. To insure measurement of unperturbed stratospheric air, the entire system is contained in a sealed gondola and the atmospheric sample is taken some distance away during descent. The photoionization technique allows the detection of a low ionization potential constituent, such as nitric oxide, at less than a part in one billion in the presence of the major atmospheric gases and their isotopes. Operation of the mass spectrometer system was demonstrated during a daytime flight from Palestine, Texas on 26 April 1977. The sensitivity achieved and the unique selectivity afforded by this technique offer a capability for trace constituent measurement not possible with the more conventional electron impact ionization approach.

Aikin, A. C.↗

Rare gases in etched 10084 ilmenite - A search for trapped solar-flare rare gases

Results are presented of rare-gas analyses of 10084 ilmenite samples which have been etched to depths of about 1 micrometer in an attempt to remove the surface layer of trapped solar-wind gases, thereby allowing detection of the more deeply implanted solar-flare ions in the remaining trapped gases. A tendency found for the Ne-20/Ne-22 ratios in the etched ilmenite to reflect the solar-wind ratio measured in the solar-wind composition experiment foils may represent a cancellation of mass-fractionation effects. The Ne-20/Ne-22 ratio in the saturated layer is lowered with respect to the solar wind by preferential diffusive loss, but is raised again in the gas diffusing inward by the same preferential mobilization of Ne-20 relative to Ne-22. Attention is also given to the significance of the findings in the case of argon, krypton, and xenon.

Leich, D. A.↗

Exposure histories of Bench Crater rocks

A description is presented of the results of mass spectrometric analyses of the noble gases krypton and xenon, in eight Apollo 12 basaltic rocks. The significance of the results is evaluated. It is concluded that the Bench Crater rocks are not what they appear to be in their field relationships. They are not fragments ejected from bedrock by the Bench impact. Most, if not all, have had a previous history of regolith residence prior to the Bench impact. In retrospect, sampling of fresh ejecta from lunar craters during the Apollo missions turned out to be surprisingly difficult. Sampling was successful for Cone and North Ray craters where large boulders were available, but fresh South Ray ejecta was surprisingly elusive. The reported investigation shows that fresh ejecta was not obtained from Bench, and moreover, that the concept of 'radial sampling', in which the rocks sampled from a crater rim are supposed to represent the deepest material excavated, fails very badly for Bench.

Burnett, D. S.↗

Development of sputtering process to deposit stoichiometric zirconia coatings for the inside wall of regeneratively cooled rocket thrust chambers

Thermal barrier coatings of yttria stabilized zirconia and zirconia-ceria mixtures were deposited by RF reactive sputtering. Coatings were 1-2 mils thick, and were deposited on copper cylinders intended to simulate the inner wall of a regeneratively cooled thrust chamber. Coating stoichiometry and adherence were investigated as functions of deposition parameters. Modest deposition rates (approximately 0.15 mil/hr) and subambient sustrate temperatures (-80 C) resulted in nearly stoichiometric coatings which remained adherent through thermal cycles between -196 and 400 C. Coatings deposited at higher rates or substrates temperatures exhibited greater oxygen deficiences, while coatings deposited at lower temperatures were not adherent. Substrate bias resulted in structural changes in the coating and high krypton contents; no clear effect on stoichiometry was observed.

Busch, R.↗

Electrical conductivity measurements from the STRATCOM 8 experiment

A blunt probe experiment for measuring electrical conductivity was flown with the STRATCOM 8 instrument package. Data were obtained by the instrument throughout the entire measurement period. A preliminary analysis of the data indicates an enhancement in conductivity associated with the krypton discharge ionization lamp, particularly in negative conductivity. The conductivity values and their altitude dependence are consistent with previous balloon and rocket results.

Mitchell, J. D.↗

Electrical structure and ionizable constituent measurements

In-situ stratospheric ions showed typical characteristics. A Krypton lamp created large numbers of additional ions of remarkably high mobility with a product of number density and ionization cross section of the ionizable constituent(s) greater than 10 cm to the 9th power per cm.

Hale, L. C.↗

A dense plasma ultraviolet source

The intense ultraviolet emission from the NASA Hypocycloidal-Pinch (HCP) plasma is investigated. The HCP consists of three disk electrodes whose cross section has a configuration similar to the cross section of a Mather-type plasma focus. Plasma foci were produced in deuterium, helium, xenon, and krypton gases in order to compare their emission characteristics. Time-integrated spectra in the wavelength range from 200 nm to 350 nm and temporal variations of the uv emission were obtained with a uv spectrometer and a photomultiplier system. Modifications to enhance uv emission in the iodine-laser pump band (250 to 290 nm) and preliminary results produced by these modifications are presented. Finally, the advantages of the HCP as a uv over use of conventional xenon lamps with respect to power output limit, spectral range, and lifetime are discussed.

Lee, J. H.↗

Shape change of Galileo probe models in free-flight tests

Scale models of the Galileo Probe made of polycarbonate, AXF5Q graphite, carbon-carbon composite, and carbon-phenolic were flown in a free flight range in an ambient gas of air, krypton, or xenon. Mach numbers varied between 14 and 24, Reynolds numbers between 300,000 and 1,000,000, stagnation pressures between 31 and 200 atm, and stagnation point heat transfer rates between 10 and 1,000 kW/sq cm. Shadowgraphs indicate gouging ablation of the aft portion of the frustum; the gouging was moderate in air and severe in the noble gases. The graphite models break in the same region. An explanation of the phenomena is offered in terms of the strong compression and shear caused by the reattachment of a turbulent separated flow. Conditions are calculated for similar tests appropriate for Von Karman Facility of the Arnold Engineering Development Center in which a larger model can be flown in argon.

Park, C.↗

Simulation of cosmic-ray induced soft errors and latchup in integrated-circuit computer memories

Soft errors have been induced in solid-state static RAM's by iron nuclei from the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL) Bevalac, in experiments designed to prove the ability of iron-group cosmic rays to generate such errors. Subsequently, various delidded device types were tested in beams of argon and krypton ions from the LBL 88-inch Cyclotron, at energies near 2 MeV/nucleon. The latter tests showed that some devices are essentially immune to bit error while others are quite susceptible. Good agreement was obtained with model predictions in cases where the latter exist. Latchup, whose cause is attributed to individual heavy ions, was also observed in some device types.

Kolasinski, W. A.↗