Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “vibrational bands”

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 271 records · Page 15

Conversion of laser energy to gas kinetic energy

Techniques for the gas phase absorption of laser radiation for ultimate conversion to gas kinetic energy are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on absorption by the vibration rotation bands of diatomic molecules at high pressures. This high pressure absorption appears to offer efficient conversion of laser energy to gas translational energy. Bleaching and chemical effects are minimized and the variation of the total absorption coefficient with temperature is minimal.

Caledonia, G. E.↗

Absorption of CO laser radiation by NO

The paper describes absorption calculations and measurements at selected infrared CO laser wavelengths which are nearly coincident with absorption lines in the fundamental vibration-rotation band of NO near 5.3 microns. Initial work was directed towards establishing the optimal CO laser-NO absorption line coincidence for high temperature applications. Measurements of the absorption coefficient at this optimal laser wavelength were carried out, first using a room-temperature absorption cell for high-temperature calculations and then using a shock tube, for the temperature range 630-4000 K, to validate the high temperature calculations.

Hanson, R. K.↗

Electric dipole moment function of the X1 Sigma/+/ state of CO - Vibration-rotation matrix elements for transitions of gas laser and astrophysical interest

The electric dipole moment function of the ground electronic state of carbon monoxide has been determined by combining numerical solutions of the radial Schrodinger equation with absolute intensity data of vibration-rotation bands. The derived dipole moment function is used to calculate matrix elements of interest to stellar astronomy and of importance in the carbon monoxide laser.

Chackerian, C., Jr.↗

The 4-8 micron spectrum of the infrared source W33 A

The spectrum of the highly obscured infrared source W33 A from 4.5 to 8 microns is measured in order to investigate the intervening cold, dense interstellar material. Spectrophotometry at a relative spectral resolution of about 0.015 by an airborne filter-wheel infrared spectrometer reveals strong absorption features at 4.61, 5.99 and 6.78 microns. The absorption at 4.61 microns is attributed primarily to the fundamental vibration-rotation band of CO at a column density (at least 10 to the 19th/sq cm) which is 10% of the carbon inferred from silicate abundances. The strengths and line widths of the absorption agt 5.99 and 6.78 microns are interpreted as evidence of absorption in the resonance bands of carbonyl, carbon-carbon double, methyl and methylene bonds of hydrocarbons associated with interstellar dust.

Soifer, B. T.↗

Anomalous /C-13/H4:/C-12/H4 line strengths in 2 nu 3

Anomalous intensity ratios between 2 nu 3 singlet lines of C-13 methane and C-12 methane are reported. Absolute strengths of the Q1, R0 and R1 singlets were measured for essentially pure samples of (C-13)H4 and (C-12)H4 at a resolution of 0.035 kaysers at pressures of 10 and 20 Torr, using a computer controlled grating spectrometer. Line strength ratios between the isotopic species are presented which demonstrate a dramatic effect of isotopic substitution on line strengths. If this effect can be observed in the 3 nu 3 vibration-rotation band of methane, which is widely used in planetary atmosphere studies, revision of the (C-12)H4/(C-13)H4 abundance ratios of the outer planets will be necessary.

Fox, K.↗

Infrared observations of circumstellar ammonia in OH/IR supergiants

Ammonia has been detected in the circumstellar envelopes of VY Canis Majoris, VX Sagittarii, and IRC +10420 by means of several absorption lines in the nu-2 vibration-rotation band near 950 kaysers. The line profiles are well resolved (0.2 km/sec resolution) and show the gas being accelerated to terminal expansion velocities near 30 km/sec. The observations reveal a method for determining the position of the central star on VLBI maps of OH maser emission to an accuracy of approximately 0.2 arcsec. A firm lower limit of 2 x 10 to the 15th/sq cm is obtained for the NH3 column density in VY Canis Majoris.

Mclaren, R. A.↗

Infrared heterodyne spectroscopy of circumstellar molecules

Ammonia has been detected in the circumstellar envelopes of IRC+10216, VY CMa, VX Sgr, and IRC+10420. A number of absorption lines of (N-14)H3 in the nu sub 2 vibration-rotation band around 28 THz (950 per cm) have been observed at a velocity resolution of 0.2 km/s. Typical linewidths are 1 to 4 km/s, and the details of the line profiles provide additional insights on the process of mass loss in these stars.

Betz, A. L.↗

Ethylene in IRC +10216

Ethylene has been detected in the circumstellar gas surrounding the supergiant star IRC +10216. Two lines of the nu sub 7 vibration-rotation band near 28 THz (949/cm) have been seen in absorption at an expansion velocity of 14 km/sec relative to the central star. The line intensities indicate a rotational temperature of T greater than 400 K and a radial C2H4 column density of 10 to the 16th to 10 to the 17th per sq cm.

Betz, A. L.↗

Measurement of hydroxyl temperatures in the upper atmosphere with a high sensitivity spectrometer

The hydroxyl temperatures in the upper atmosphere were measured over a five-week period in January and February of 1975 and 1976 in order to determine the variation of the rotational temperatures of OH with stratospheric warming events occurring over the New England area. The OH temperatures were also recorded during the summer of 1975 in the Fairfield, Connecticut area. Data show a wide fluctuation in temperatures amounting to as much as a couple of hundred degrees in the course of an evening. A modified Ebert-Fastie spectrometer with a focal length of 1 meter was used to examined the vibration-rotation bands of atmospheric OH in the 7000 to 9000 range. This wavelength was searched and the strongest signal was obtained from the 6-2 band (band head at 8280 A). Graphs show the 6-2 band of the Meinel OH spectrum, the real time and average spectra for the 6-2 band of OH, and rotational temperature of OH vs time for two evenings.

Mcelaney, J. H.↗

Stratospheric measurements of collision-induced absorption by molecular oxygen

High-resolution stratospheric solar absorption spectra recorded at sunset with a balloon-borne interferometer, from an altitude of 33 km, are used in a study of collision-induced absorption by the fundamental vibration-rotation band of O2, whose continuum has been identified in the 1400-1700/cm region in spectra obtained at tangent altitudes below 22 km. It is found that transmittance measurements in intervals free of atmospheric line absorption agree with values calculated with the O2 absorption coefficients of Timofeyev and Tonkov (1978), and that the measurements indicate a 20% upper limit for the uncertainty of the available O2 absorption coefficients at lower stratospheric temperatures, on the order of 220 K.

Rinsland, C. P.↗

Twilight Intensity Variation of the Infrared Hydroxyl Airglow

The vibration rotation bands of the hydroxyl radical are the strongest features in the night airglow and are exceeded in intensity in the dayglow only by the infrared atmospheric bands of oxygen. The variation of intensity during evening twilight is discussed. Using a ground-based Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS), hydroxyl intensity measurements as early as 3 deg solar depression were made. Models of the twilight behavior show that this should be sufficient to provide measurement of the main portion of the twilight intensity change. The instrument was equipped with a liquid nitrogen-cooled germanium detector whose high sensitivity combined with the efficiency of the FTS technique permits spectra of the region 1.1 to 1.6 microns at high signal-to-noise to be obtained in two minutes. The use of a polarizer at the entrance aperture of the instrument reduces the intensity of scattered sunlight by a factor of at least ten for zenith observations.

Lowe, R. P.↗

Spectroscopic measurements of atmospheric HCN at northern and southern latitudes

A number of lines belonging to the nu(3) fundamental vibration-rotation band of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) have been identified in atmospheric infrared absorption spectra obtained on high-altitude balloon flights at 32 deg N in 1976 and at 30 deg S in 1977. Quantitative analysis of these spectral features has resulted in the first determination of atmospheric HCN concentrations in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as an independent estimate of stratospheric HCN abundance in the Northern Hemisphere. Within the uncertainties of the present and previous measurements, the Northern Hemisphere result is consistent with those of other investigators, and Southern Hemisphere HCN concentrations appear to be similar to those in the Northern Hemisphere.

Smith, M. A. H.↗

CO 4.6 micron emission lines from the IRC +10216 inner envelope

Results are presented of an investigation of gas in the inner envelope of IRC +10216 at a scale size (approximately 2 arcsec) never observed previously. Observations were made at the 4.6-micrometer fundamental vibration-rotation band of CO, employing an annular observing aperture to isolate radiation resonantly scattered from the extended molecular envelope. In addition to the expected emission up to the expansion velocity of the envelope, both CO and 13CO show evidence of high-velocity features in the blue wing of the line, beyond the 15 km/s expansion velocity. A mass loss rate for the inner envelope of approximately 5-7 x 10 to the -5 solar mass per year is derived (lower than the values derived for the extended envelope from millimeter CO data).

Sahai, R.↗

Ultrasensitive detection of atmospheric trace gases using frequency modulation spectroscopy

Frequency modulation (FM) spectroscopy is a new technique that promises to significantly extend the state-of-the-art in point detection of atmospheric trace gases. FM spectroscopy is essentially a balanced bridge optical heterodyne approach in which a small optical absorption or dispersion from an atomic or molecular species of interest generates an easily detected radio frequency (RF) signal. This signal can be monitored using standard RF signal processing techniques and is, in principle, limited only by the shot noise generated in the photodetector by the laser source employed. The use of very high modulation frequencies which exceed the spectral width of the probed absorption line distinguishes this technique from the well-known derivative spectroscopy which makes use of low (kHz) modulation frequencies. FM spectroscopy was recently extended to the 10 micron infrared (IR) spectral region where numerous polyatomic molecules exhibit characteristic vibrational-rotational bands. In conjunction with tunable semiconductor diode lasers, the quantum-noise-limited sensitivity of the technique should allow for the detection of absorptions as small as .00000001 in the IR spectral region. This sensitivity would allow for the detection of H2O2 at concentrations as low as 1 pptv with an integration time of 10 seconds.

Cooper, David E.↗

Two micron quadrupole line emission of H2 from the Jovian auroral zone

Energetic electron bombardment of the H2 atmosphere in the Jovian auroral zone was studied using a theoretical model for the vibrational-ratational excitation processes. A non-relativistic electron energy deposition program originally developed by Peterson et al. was used. Assuming an incident energy electron spectrum from IUE observations, the calculated intensities of the two micron quadrupole lines from the Jovian auroral zone are shown to be comparable to the intensities of infrared objects in the Orion nebula. Jupiter is fairly dark in the 2 to 2.5 micron spectral range because of strong absorption of cH4 and NH3 vibrational-rotational bands. Consequently, assuming no significant decrease in Jovian auroral activity since the Voyager encounter with Jupiter in 1979, the two micron quadrupole emission of H2 may be observable by ground-based telescope through the two micron atmospheric window.

Kim, S.↗

Detection of carbon monoxide in Saturn

The detection of CO in the atmosphere of Saturn is reported. Six spectral regions containing lines of the CO 1-0 vibration-rotation band near 4.7 microns are studied; three of the lines are free of blending and in effect attest to the presence of this molecule in Saturn's atmosphere. Consideration is given to the following CO sources: (1) rapid convection from the hot interior, and (2) the infall of oxygen-bearing material from outside.

Noll, Keith S.↗

Air broadening of the hydrogen halides. I - N2-broadening and shifting in the HCl fundamental

The resolvent operator formalism of Kolb, Griem (1964), and Baranger (1962) is used to determine the widths and shifts of the fundamental band vibration-rotation lines of HCl under N2 pressure. Time-development operator matrix elements are evaluated accounting for all bilinear and second order anisotropic terms, in addition to isotropic effects to all orders. The method employs the use of a parabolic trajectory model and explicit velocity averaging. The major contributions to the linewidths are found to arise from dipole-quadrupole, quadrupole-quadrupole, and vibrationally dependent isotropic dispersion forces. Good overall agreement is found between calculated and measured widths and linewidths over a 163-295 K temperature range.

Looney, J. P.↗