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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 289 records · Page 16

An emission mechanism for the Io-independent Jovian decameter radiation

A theory of the Io-independent decameter radiation is developed. The radiation results from excitation of the electromagnetic loss-cone instability by keV electrons, stably trapped near L = 6. The radiation is excited in band III of the extraordinary mode. When the effects of refraction are estimated, it is shown that above 10 MHz radiation is beamed into the equatorial plane in a wide, but thin, conical sheet. When the instability analysis is coupled with one of the octopole models of the Jovian magnetic field, the maximum convective growth of the instability occurs in the directions of the non-Io A, B, and C sources. The shape of the peak radio flux frequency spectrum is found to be a consequence of the loss-cone shape of the electron distribution function.

Goldstein, M. L.↗

Random scattering approach to gravitational microlensing

Small random deflections of a narrow beam of radiation due to gravitational scattering by stars randomly distributed within the deflector plane are considered. Using a Fouriere transform method, the probability of scattering is obtained as a function of scattering angle for an arbitrary number of stars with an arbitrary distribution of masses. The probability density, expressed in proper units, depends on one parameter only: the effective number of stars. At small scattering angles the density is a Gaussian, and at large angles it falls off as the scattering angle to the minus fourth power. The probability distribution for scatterings is simply related to the angular distribution of the surface brightness of a macroimage, averaged over many microimages. The isophotes are ellipses, with the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis, determined by the dimensionless surface mass density and the shear of the lensing system. The number of stars that has to be included in the modeling of microlensing is proportional to the amplification due to the macrolens, and to the square of the dimensionless surface mass density.

Katz, N.↗

Simultaneous imaging and spectral observations in microwaves and hard X-rays of the impulsive phase of a solar limb flare

Observations of the impulsive phase of a solar flare at microwave wavelengths and in hard X-rays are used to deduce the strength of the magnetic field and the number of energetic electrons producing the burst. The microwave observations, using the VLA at 6 cm, had spatial resolution of 8 x 8 arcsec, close to the resolution of the Hard X-ray Imaging Spectrometer on SMM which also imaged this flare. The Hard X-ray Burst Spectrometer determined the spectrum of the burst in the range 25-512 keV, and several patrol telescopes recorded the microwave time profile at frequencies from 2.8 to 19.6 GHz. The combined data show that the derived number of microwave-emitting electrons is at least three orders of magnitude fewer than the number of thick target electrons producing the hard X-rays. It is proposed that the fast electrons are highly beamed and radiate gyrosynchrotron emission less efficiently than isotropically distributed electrons.

Schmahl, E. J.↗

Neptune radio emission - Predictions based on planetary scaling laws

In this paper a prediction is advanced concerning Neptune's low-frequency radio emission based on the radiometric Bode's law for radio planets in combination with the magnetostrophic scaling law for magnetized planets. The total emitted radio power is predicted to be about 1.6 x 10 to the 7th W, very nearly the same as that predicted and observed for Uranus. Possible emission spectral shapes, based on Saturn and earth-like models, are shown. Using these models, the radio emission frequency range is predicted to extend from approximately 100 to just over 1000 kHz, with a spectral peak between 350 and 500 kHz. If radiation is beamed approximately in the sunward direction, Neptune should be detectable by the planetary radio astronomy experiment onboard the Voyager spacecraft sometime between 45 and 90 days before closest approach. This detection is likely to represent the first direct evidence of a Neptune magnetic field. Possible implications for Neptune's magnetosphere with regard to the time of first detection are discussed.

Desch, Michael D.↗

Observations of electron beam structure in space experiments

Observations of a 100-mA, 1-keV electron beam were made with a low light level TV system and other instruments aboard the space shuttle STS 3 in March 1982. When fired at a moderate pitch angle with respect to the magnetic field, the beam electrons initially moved outward along a classical helical trajectory. Within a short distance, however, the beam electrons were deflected away from the helical trajectory into paths parallel to magnetic field lines threading the primary helix. This resulted in the formation of a thin-walled, cylindrical electron beam structure having a radius equal to the primary beam gyroradius. This structure, which is consistent with earlier laboratory vacuum chamber observations and recent two-dimensional computer electrostatic plasma simulations, has important implications for determining the extent to which pulsed electron beams can radiate electromagnetic energy in the ionosphere.

Banks, Peter M.↗

Planetary scaling laws and predictions for Neptune

This paper offers a prediction concerning Neptune's low-frequency radio emission based on the radiometric Bode's law in combination with a recent prediction for Neptune's global magnetic field strength. The latter is based on a dynamo scaling relation derived from the magnetospheric balance condition within planetary cores. The radio emission frequency range is predicted to extend from approximately 100 to 1000 kHz, with a spectral peak between 350 and 500 kHz. A crude estimate of the emission spectral shape, based on Saturn and earth-like models, is shown. If radiation is beamed approximately in the sunward direction, Neptune should be detectable by the Planetary Radio Astronomy experiment onboard the Voyager spacecraft sometime between 45 and 60 days before closest approach.

Desch, Michael D.↗

Method of radiographic inspection of wooden members

The invention is a method to be used for radiographic inspection of a wooden specimen for internal defects which includes the steps of introducing a radiopaque penetrant into any internal defects in the specimen through surface openings; passing a beam of radiation through a portion of the specimen to be inspected; and making a radiographic film image of the radiation passing through the specimen, with the radiopaque penetrant in the specimen absorbing the radiation passing through it, thereby enhancing the resulting image of the internal defects in the specimen.

Berry, Maggie L.↗

Zone plate lens antennas for millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths

Zone plate lenses are a type of focusing element which function essentially as differential phase shifters, having a relatively few, coarsely quantized phase delays across the incident beam of radiation. The major advantages are ease of fabrication and much reduced thickness, compared to conventional refractive focusing elements. These considerations are both of particular importance for the submillimeter range, in which manufacturing tolerances for curved optical elements can pose significant problems, and where the absorption of readily available dielectric materials is quite large. In this presentation we briefly review the theory of zone plate lens operations, present a relatively simple method for calculating the aperture efficiency of zone plate lenses used as antennas, and show some theoretical and measured results in the 100 GHz range.

Goldsmith, Paul F.↗

Instruments Sniff Organic Surface Contaminants

Portable instruments detecting both nonvolatile and volatile organic surface contaminants in real time developed. Instruments easy to use: operate under ordinary ambient atmospheric conditions, without need to use messy liquid solvents or install and remove witness plates, and without need to cut specimens from surfaces to be inspected. Principle of detection involves sweeping pure, activated gas across surface spot inspected, then monitoring light emitted at wavelengths characteristic of excited molecules formed by chemical reactions between activated gas and contaminants. Gas activated by dc discharge, radio-frequency induction, microwave radiation, laser beam, hot filaments, or any other suitable means that excites some of gas molecules.

Adler-Golden, Steven↗

Temporal Behavior of Ammonia and Temperature in the Jovian Stratosphere following the SL9 Impacts

We will present new results in the study of temporal changes in ammonia (NH3) abundance, altitude distribution, and temperature in the stratosphere of Jupiter after the Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact in 1994. Data obtained by Betz et al. (1994) using infrared heterodyne spectroscopy were analyzed using a newly developed beam integration radiative transfer code. The spectra are from six different impact regions and were acquired from hours to three weeks following the impact. The data consist of single NH3 stratospheric emission line profiles near 10 microns measured at a resolving power of approximately 10(exp 7). The true line profiles and the new radiative transfer program permitted the simultaneous retrieval of information on both the NH3 abundance and thermal structure as well as to set constraints on the altitude distribution of stratospheric ammonia. Retrieved column densities varied from approximately 10(exp 18) to 10(exp 16) over the three week period. Over the same time period the altitude of the emitting region varied from levels above the few mbar pressure region to below the 50 mbar pressure regions. Stratospheric temperatures hours after impact were approximately 220 K and about 8 days after impact returned to the quiescent levels (approximately 170-180 K). Results from this self-consistent set of measurements will be presented, compared to those from other measurements, and compared to theoretical retrievals from photochemical models for NH3 in the Jovian stratosphere.

Kostiuk, Ttheodor↗

Opto-Electronic Oscillator Stabilized By A Hyperfine Atomic Transition

Opto-electronic oscillator (OEO) is a closed-loop system with part of the loop is implemented by an optical beam, and the rest by RF circuitry. The technological advantage of this approach over traditional all-RF loops in the gigahertz range comes from the that frequency filtering can be done far more efficiently in the optical range with compact, low power, and have superior stability. In this work, we report our preliminary results on using the phenomenon of coherent population trapping in (87) Rb vapor as an optical filter. Such a filter allows us to stabilize the OEO at the hyperfine splitting frequency of rubidium, thus implementing a novel type of frequency standard.

OEO (OPTO-ELECTRONIC OSCILLATORS)↗

Status of the Direct Data Distribution (D(exp 3)) Experiment

NASA Glenn Research Center's Direct Data Distribution (D3) project will demonstrate an advanced, high-performance communications system that transmits information from an advanced technology payload carried by a NASA spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO) to a small receiving terminal on Earth. The space-based communications package will utilize a solid-state, K-band phased-array antenna that electronically steers the radiated energy beam toward a low-cost, tracking ground terminal, thereby providing agile, vibration-free, electronic steering at reduced size and weight with increased reliability. The array-based link will also demonstrate new digital processing technology that will allow the transmission of substantially increased amounts of latency-tolerant data collected from the LEO spacecraft directly to NASA field centers, principal investigators, or into the commercial terrestrial communications network. The technologies demonstrated by D3 will facilitate NASA's transition from using Government-owned communication assets to using commercial communication services. The hardware for D3 will incorporate advanced technology components developed under the High Rate Data Delivery (HRDD) Thrust Area of NASA's Office of Aerospace Technology Space Base Program at Glenn's Communications Technology Division. The flight segment components will include the electrically steerable phased-array antenna, which is being built by the Raytheon System Corporation and utilizes monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology operating at 19.05 GHz; and the digital encoder/modulator chipset, which uses four-channel orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). The encoder/modulator will use a chipset developed by SICOM, Inc., which is both bandwidth and power efficient. The ground segment components will include a low-cost, open-loop tracking ground terminal incorporating a cryoreceiver to minimize terminal size without compromising receiver capability. The project is planning to hold a critical design review in the second quarter of fiscal year 2002.

Wald, Lawrence↗

Laser Radar Through the Window (LRTW) Coordinate Correction Method

A method for corrections of measurements of points of interests measured by beams of radiation propagating through stratified media including performance of ray-tracing of at least one ray lunched from a metrology instrument in a direction of an apparent point of interest, calculation a path length of the ray through stratified medium, and determination of coordinates of true position of the point interest using the at least one path length and the direction of propagation of the ray.

Hayden, Joseph Ethan↗

Detailed geometrical modeling of Jupiter's 10-related decametric radiation

The paper compares observational results of Jupiter's decametric radiation with the beaming directions predicted by emission of a wide-angle conical sheet of radiation. Using the conical beaming model, beaming directions were calculated assuming a source region above the planetary surface along the Io-affected magnetic flux tube at a point where the electron gyrofrequency is equal to the radiated frequency. The analysis is based on the octupolar magnetic field models from the Pioneer 11 measurements, and an apparent displacement of the flux tube 20 deg ahead of the Io orbital position produces agreement between the calculated and observed positions of the sources. The longitudinal extents of the three main sources are approximated by limiting radiation to points where the angle between the magnetic field vector at the point of emission and the Zenographic equatorial plane is at a minimum. For lower frequencies the Io-dependent radiation is emitted at all longitudes, and the beaming model concurs with this conclusion when all cutoffs are eliminated.

Thieman, J. R.↗

Plasma instabilities of a finite-radius electron beam in a uniform plasma

To study electromagnetic radiation induced by electronn beam injection from the Space Shuttle, the electromagnetic dispersion equation or a finite-radius cold electron beam in a neutralizing background was solved numerically. The numerical solutions indicate that a keV electron beam can drive the beam and whistler modes unstable, regardless of whether the beam is homogeneous or has a finite radius. The results obtained were applied to explain the whistler waves radiated from the keV electron beam injected from Spacelab 2.

Wong, H. K.↗

Beam Test Results of the RADiCAL—A Radiation Hard Innovative EM Calorimeter

High-performance calorimetry conducted at future hadron colliders, such as the FCC-hh, poses a significant challenge for applying current detector technologies due to unprecedented beam luminosities and radiation fields. Solutions include developing scintillators that are capable of separating events at the sub-fifty picosecond level while also maintaining performance after extreme and constant neutron and ionizing radiation exposure. The radiation-hard innovative calorimeter (RADiCAL) is an approach that incorporates radiation tolerant materials in a sampling “shashlik”-style calorimeter configuration, using quartz capillaries filled with organic liquid or polymer-based wavelength shifters embedded in layers of tungsten plates and lutetium-yttrium oxyorthosilicate (LYSO) crystals. Here, this novel design intends to address the priority research directions (PRD) for calorimetry listed in the DOE basic research needs (BRN) workshop for high energy physics (HEP) instrumentation. Here we report preliminary results from an experimental run at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility (FTBF) in June 2022. These tests demonstrate that the RADiCAL concept is capable of ¡50 ps timing resolution.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗