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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 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Low-energy charged particle environment at Jupiter - A first look

Preliminary results of measurements obtained by the low energy charged particle instrument on board the Voyager 1 spacecraft during its traversal of the Jovian magnetosphere are reported. The instrument consists of the low energy particle telescope and the low energy magnetospheric particle analyzer, designed to perform measurements in the inner and outer magnetosphere respectively. Ions and electrons comprising the Jovian magnetosphere were first detected at a distance of about 600 Jupiter radii from the planet, with the first bow shock crossing at 85.6 Jupiter radii. Upon crossing the magnetopause at about 67 Jupiter radii, the flows of electrons and ions were observed to change direction from away from the planet to the corotational direction. The hot plasma near the magnetosphere boundary is comprised predominantly of protons, sulfur and oxygen. Selective particle absorption near the Io flux tube indicates some form of particle deflection by Io. Fluxes in the outbound region were found to be enhanced from 90 to 160 deg longitude, and 5- and 10-hour low energy particle flux periodicities were observed.

Krimigis, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Observations of interplanetary energetic charged particles from gamma-ray line solar flares

Results from ISEE-3 experiments on interplanetary energetic charged particles on June 7, June 21, and July 1, 1980 dealing with gamma ray producing solar flares are reported. The data were gathered by the Ultra Low Energy Wide Angle Telescope, which comprises a thin window, flow through proportional counter/solid-state detector composition telescope. Evidence of a specified time delay from an observed flare and the recording of 0.44-1.3 MeV electrons on ISEE-3 combined with quiescent periods of at least two hours before the observations and recording provides a link between the events. The data indicates interplanetary energetic particle enhancement, and a second, similar set of occurrences was also observed. Protons were accelerated up to 10-20 MeV. No enrichment of either He-3 or Fe was found.

Pesses, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Charged Particle Flux Sensor

Improved version of Faraday cup increases accuracy of measurements of flux density of charged particles incident along axis through collection aperture. Geometry of cone-and-sensing cup combination assures most particles are trapped.

Gregory, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS2003

MOS Circuitry Would Detect Low-Energy Charged Particles

Metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) circuits for measuring spatially varying intensities of beams of low-energy charged particles have been developed. These circuits are intended especially for use in measuring fluxes of ions with spatial resolution along the focal planes of mass spectrometers. Unlike prior mass spectrometer focal-plane detectors, these MOS circuits would not be based on ion-induced generation of electrons, and photons; instead, they would be based on direct detection of the electric charges of the ions. Hence, there would be no need for microchannel plates (for ion-to-electron conversion), phosphors (for electron-to-photon conversion), and photodetectors (for final detection) -- components that degrade spatial resolution and contribute to complexity and size. The developmental circuits are based on linear arrays of charge-coupled devices (CCDs) with associated readout circuitry (see figure). They resemble linear CCD photodetector arrays, except that instead of a photodetector, each pixel contains a capacitive charge sensor. The capacitor in each sensor comprises two electrodes (typically made of aluminum) separated by a layer of insulating material. The exposed electrode captures ions and accumulates their electric charges during signal-integration periods.

Sinha, Mahadeva↗
NASA NTRS1979

Interactions between spacecraft and the charged-particle environment

Spacecraft-environment interactions are defined as the responses of a spacecraft surface to a charged-particle environment. This response can influence spacecraft system performance. Interactions can be divided into two broad categories: spacecraft passive, in which the environment acts on the spacecraft; and spacecraft active, in which the spacecraft causes the interaction. Passive interactions include the spacecraft-charging phenomenon. Active interactions include the relatively new interactions arising from the use of very large spacecraft and space power systems in future missions. To illustrate active interactions, a large power system operating at elevated voltages is considered. Possible interactions are described, available experimental data are reviewed, and the effect on power system performance is estimated.

Stevens, N. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The suppression of charged-particle-induced noise in infrared detectors

A d.c.-coupled transimpedance amplifier/pulse suppression circuit designed to remove charged-particle-induced noise from infrared detectors is described. Noise spikes produced by single particle events are large and have short rise times, and can degrade the performance of an infrared detector in moderate radiation environments. The use of the suppression circuit improves the signal-to-noise ratio by a factor of 1.6:1, which corresponds to a reduction in required observing time by a factor of about 2.6.

Houck, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A critical review of charged particle astronomy at Saturn: The evidence for co-orbiting material in the inner satellite system

The charged particle observations from Pioneer and Voyager at Saturn were reassessed with a view towards providing limits on the amount of unseen dust and debris that may exist in the Saturnian system. Such estimates are crucial for planning the Cassini tour of Saturn. The data from Pioneer 11 and Voyager were reviewed, intercompared, and correlated with model predictions to set limits on the matter distribution.

Wefel, John P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Three-dimensional shielding effects on charged particle fluences measured in the P0006 experiment of LDEF

Three-dimensional shielding effects on cosmic ray charged particle fluences were measured with plastic nuclear track detectors in the P0006 experiment on Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). The azimuthal and polar angle distributions of the galactic cosmic ray particles (mostly relativistic iron) were measured in the main stack and in four side stacks of the P0006 experiment, located on the west end of the LDEF satellite. A shadowing effect of the shielding of the LDEF satellite is found. Total fluence of stopping protons was measured as a function of the position in the main and side stacks of the P0006 experiment. Location dependence of total track density is explained by the three-dimensional shielding model of the P0006 stack. These results can be used to validate 3D mass model and transport code calculations and also for predictions of the outer radiation environment for the Space Station Freedom.

Csige, I.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The diffusive idealization of charged-particle transport in random magnetic fields

The uniqueness and accuracy of the equations which describe the transport of charged particles diffusing in a random magnetic field parallel to a relatively large guiding field is examined. With regard to uniqueness, it is found that the same coefficient of diffusion is obtained by three methods that have apparently led to discrepancies in previous work. With regard to accuracy, it is found that two corrections must be added to Fick's law in which the diffusive flux is proportional to the gradient of the density. Explicit expressions are given for a characteristic time and a characteristic length which describe the corrections.

Earl, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS2004

The response of thermally and optically stimulated luminescence from Al2O3:C to high-energy heavy charged particles

The thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) response of Al2O3 dosimeters to high-energy heavy charged particles (HCP) has been studied using the heavy ion medical accelerator at Chiba, Japan. The samples were Al2O3 single-crystal chips, of the type usually known as TLD-500, and Luxel(TM) dosimeters (Al2O3:C powder in plastic) from Landauer Inc. The samples were exposed to 4He (150 MeV/u), 12C (400 MeV/u), 28Si (490 MeV/us) and 56Fe (500 MeV/u) ions, with linear energy transfer values covering the range from 2.26 to 189 keV/micrometers in water and doses from 1 to 100 mGy (to water). A 90Sr/90Y beta source, calibrated against a 60Co secondary standard, was used for calibration purposes. For OSL, we used both continuous-wave OSL measurements (CW-OSL, using green light stimulation at 525 nm) and pulsed OSL measurements (POSL, using 532 nm stimulation from a Nd:YAG Q-switched laser). The efficiencies (eta HCP, gamma) of the different HCPs at producing OSL or TL were observed to depend not only upon the linear energy transfer (LET) of the HCP, but also upon the sample type (single crystal chip or Luxel(TM)) and the luminescence method used to define the signal--i.e. TL, CW-OSL initial intensity, CW-OSL total area, or POSL. Observed changes in shape of the decay curve lead to potential methods for extracting LET information of unknown radiation fields. A discussion of the results is given, including the potential use of OSL from Al2O3 in the areas of space radiation dosimetry and radiation oncology. c2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Heavy Ions↗
NASA NTRS1975

Simulation of the velocity diffusion of charged particles in turbulent magnetic fields

Numerical simulation experiments have been performed in order to study the velocity diffusion of charged particles in a static turbulent magnetic field. By following orbits of particles moving in a large ensemble of random magnetic field realizations with suitably-chosen statistical properties, a pitch-angle diffusion coefficient is derived. Results are presented for a variety of particle rigidities and r.m.s. random field strengths and a power spectrum typical of conditions found in interplanetary space.

Kaiser, T. B.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The charged particle radiation environment for AXAF

The Advanced X Ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) will be subjected to several sources of charged particle radiation during its 15-year orbital lifetime: geomagnetically-trapped electrons and protons, galactic cosmic ray particles, and solar flare events. These radiation levels are presented for the AXAF orbit for use in the design of the observatory's science instruments.

Joy, Marshall↗
NASA NTRS1979

Motions of charged particles in the Magnetosphere under the influence of a time-varying large scale convection electric field

The motions of charged particles under the influence of the geomagnetic and electric fields were quite complex in the region of the inner magnetosphere. The Volland-Stern type large scale convection electric field was used successfully to predict both the plasmapause location and particle enhancements determined from Explorer 45 measurements. A time dependence in this electric field was introduced based on the variation in Kp for actual magnetic storm conditions. The particle trajectories were computed as they change in this time-varying electric field. Several storm fronts of particles of different magnetic moments were allowed to be injected into the inner magnetosphere from L = 10 in the equatorial plane. The motions of these fronts are presented in a movie format.

Smith, P. H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Motions of charged particles in the magnetosphere under the influence of a time-varying large scale convection electric field

The motions of charged particles under the influence of the geomagnetic and electric fields are quite complex in the region of the inner magnetosphere. The Volland-Stern type large-scale convection electric field with gamma = 2 has been used successfully to predict both the plasmapause location and particle enhancements determined from Explorer 45 (S3-A) measurements. Recently introduced into the trajectory calculations of Ejiri et al. (1978) is a time dependence in this electric field based on the variation in Kp for actual magnetic storm conditions. The particle trajectories are computed as they change in this time-varying electric field. Several storm fronts of particles of different magnetic moments are allowed to be injected into the inner magnetosphere from L = 10 in the equatorial plane. The motions of these fronts are presented in a movie format. The local time of injection, the particle magnetic moments and the subsequent temporal history of the magnetospheric electric field play important roles in determining whether the injected particles are trapped within the ring current region or whether they are convected to regions outside the inner magnetosphere.

Smith, P. H.↗