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At least 253 records · Page 14

Solid state technology: A compilation

A compilation, covering selected solid state devices developed and integrated into systems by NASA to improve performance, is presented. Data are also given on device shielding in hostile radiation environments.

Source record↗

A solid state data recorder for spacecraft telemetry applications

A solid state data recorder (SSDR) has been developed which offers a high-reliability alternative to tape recorders in many spacecraft telemetry applications. The storage medium used in this recorder was ferrimagnetic garnet films supporting nonvolatile magnetic bubble domains. The recorder was designed using modular construction consisting of a digital control unit, power supply, and two memory modules. A prototype SSDR has been fabricated which is designed for 100-million bits of storage but was populated with 128 chips for a 13-million bit capacity. Preliminary tests indicate satisfactory operation.

Stermer, R. L., Jr.↗

Solar power satellite system definition study. Volume 4: Solid State SPS Analysis, Phase 3

A 2500 megawatt solid ground output Solar Power Satellite (SPS) of conventional configuration was designed and analyzed. Because the power per receiving antenna is halved, as compared with the klystron reference, twice the number of receiving antennas are needed to deliver the same total power. The solid state approach appears feasible with a slightly greater specific mass and slightly higher cost than the klystron SPS design.

Source record↗

Control means for a solid state crossbar switch

A control system for a solid state crossbar switch which allows a plurality of switch control and interrogation functions to be implemented by time sharing related circuitry is described. The crossbar switch includes a plurality of X ports and Y ports, each X-Y port intersection designating a specific X-Y intersection latch which controls a plurality of associated switches for interconnecting one set of data lines associated with the X port to another set of data lines associated with the Y port. The control system continuously and sequentially addresses each of the X-Y intersection latches at a 10 megahertz rate. During this addressing, the control circuitry includes a capability for interrogating each intersection latch for determining which are in a set condition, ensuring that only one X-Y intersection latch is set on an X row and Y column defining that latch, resetting all of the X-Y intersection latches, and determining which of the X-Y intersection latches are in a set condition.

Anderson, T. O.↗

Screening Plastic-Encapsulated Solid-State Devices

Suitability of plastic-encapsulated solid-state electronic devices for use in spacecraft discussed. Conclusion of preliminary study was plasticencapsulated parts sufficiently reliable to be considered for use in lowcost equipment used at moderate temperature and low humidity. Useful to engineers as guides to testing or use of plastic encapsulated semiconductors in severe terrestrial environments.

Buldhaupt, L.↗

High energy efficient solid state laser sources

Diode-laser-pumped solid-state laser oscillators and nonlinear processes were investigated. A new generation on nonplanar oscillator was fabricated, and it is anticipated that passive linewidths will be pushed to the kilohertz regime. A number of diode-pumped laser transitions were demonstrated in the rod configuration. Second-harmonic conversion efficiencies as high as 15% are routinely obtained in a servo-locked external resonant doubling crystal at 15 mW cw input power levels at 1064 nm.

Byer, Robert L.↗

The Galileo Solid-State Imaging experiment

The Galileo Orbiter's Solid-State Imaging (SSI) experiment uses a 1.5-m focal length TV camera with 800 x 800 pixel, virtual-phase CCD detector in order to obtain images of Jupiter and its satellites which possess a combination of sensitivity levels, spatial resolutions, geometric fidelity, and spectral range that are unmatched by earlier imaging data. After describing the performance of this equipment on the basis of ground calibrations, attention is given to the SSI experiment's Jupiter system observation objectives; these encompass atmospheric science, satellite surfaces, ring structure, and 'darkside' experiments.

Belton, Michael J. S.↗

Flame Characterization Using a Tunable Solid-State Laser with Direct UV Pumping

Tunable solid-state lasers with direct UV pumping, based on d-f transitions of rare earth ions incorporated in wide band-gap dielectric crystals, are reliable sources of laser radiation that are suitable for excitation of combustion-related free radicals. We have employed such a laser for analytical flame characterization utilizing Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) techniques. LIF spectra of alkane-air flames (used for studying combustion processes under normal and microgravity conditions) excited in the region of the A-X (0,0) OH-absorption band have been recorded and found to be both temperature-sensitive and positionally-sensitive. In addition, also clearly noticeable was the sensitivity of the spectra to the specific wavelength used for data registration. The LiCAF:Ce laser shows good prospects for being able to cover the spectral region between 280 and 340 nm and therefore be used excitation of combustion-intermediates such as the hydroxyl OH, methoxy CH30 and methylthio CH3S radicals.

Kamal, Mohammed M.↗

A Miniature Solid-State Spectrometer for Space Applications: Field Tests

A solid state infrared spectrometer has been developed under the Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program PIDDP to implement a small rugged spectrometer principally for landed applications. The instrument uses the high index of refraction and waveguide properties of a silicon slab to achieve good spectral resolution and high throughput in a small instrument footprint (less than 25 cm). Light enters the silicon slab and is reflected off a grating (Ebert configuration), utilizing the silicon index of refraction to achieve high dispersion. An array of microthermopiles is used to measure the amplitude of the dispersed light. Input optics are typically utilized to focus light on the input aperture and a chopper is used to compensate system drift.

Smythe, W. D.↗

Ceramic distribution members for solid state electrolyte cells and method of producing

A solid state electrolyte cells apparatus and method of producing is disclosed. The apparatus can be used for separating oxygen from an oxygen-containing feedstock or as a fuel cell for reacting fluids. Cells can be stacked so that fluids can be introduced and removed from the apparatus through ceramic distribution members having ports designed for distributing the fluids in parallel flow to and from each cell. The distribution members can also serve as electrodes to membranes or as membrane members between electrodes. The distribution member design does not contain any horizontal internal ports which allows the member to be thin. A method of tape casting in combination with an embossing method allows intricate radial ribs and bosses to be formed on each distribution member. The bosses serve as seals for the ports and allow the distribution members to be made without any horizontal internal ports.

Clark, Douglas J.↗

A 100Mbps coherent optical link demonstration using frequency stabilized solid state lasers

The design, implementation, and performance evaluation of a 100Mbps binary phase shift keying (BPSK) coherent optical link using frequency stabilized solid state lasers is described. In this demonstration, the transmitted data is binary phase modulated at 100Mbps using an external resonant cavity phase modulator. At the receiving end, the signal is detected using a balanced heterodyne detector. An auxiliary frequency tracking loop (FTL) is used to help the initial frequency acquisition before handing over to the carrier phase tracking loop. The FTL is implemented using a delay line discriminator, and the detected frequency error is fed back to the local oscillator laser to close the tracking loop. Phase coherent reception is achieved by synchronizing the carrier phase using a Costas tracking loop. The demonstration showed that a high data rate phase coherent optical link can be implemented using frequency stabilized solid state lasers.

Chen, CHIEN-C.↗

Solid-state ice volcanism on the satellites of Uranus

Voyager images of the Uranian satellites Ariel and Miranda show flow features with morphologies indicating that ice has been extruded to the satellites' surfaces in the solid state. These images provide the first observational evidence for solid-state ice volcanism in the solar system. Topographic profiles have been measured across a number of flow features on Ariel. With a simple model of extrusion, spreading, and cooling of a viscous flow, the initial viscosity of the flow material is found to have been no more than about 10 to the 16th poise, far lower than expected for H2O ice at the ambient surface temperatures in the Uranian system. Sharply reduced viscosities may have resulted from incorporation of ices like NH3 or CH4 in the Uranian satellites.

Jankowski, David G.↗