Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “OPTICAL REFLECTIVITY”

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 289 records · Page 16

The X-ray reflectivity of the AXAF VETA-I optics

The study measures the X-ray reflectivity of the AXAF VETA-I optic and compares it with theoretical predictions. Measurements made at energies of 0.28, 0.9, 1.5, 2.1, and 2.3 keV are compared with predictions based on ray trace calculations. Results on the variation of the reflectivity with energy as well as the absolute value of the reflectivity are presented. A synchrotron reflectivity measurement with a high-energy resolution over the range 0.26 to 1.8 keV on a flat Zerodur sample is also reported. Evidence is found for contamination of the flat by a thin layer of carbon on the surface, and the possibility of alteration of the surface composition of the VETA-I mirror, perhaps by the polishing technique. The overall agreement between the measured and calculated effective area of VETA-I is between 2.6 and 10 percent. Measurements at individual energies deviate from the best-fitting calculation to 0.3 to 0.8 percent, averaging 0.6 percent at energies below the high energy cutoff of the mirror reflectivity, and are as high as 20.7 percent at the cutoff.

Kellogg, E.↗

Space optics; Proceedings of the Seminar, Huntsville, Ala., May 22-24, 1979

The seminar focused on infrared systems, the space telescope, new design for space astronomy, future earth resources systems, and planetary systems. Papers were presented on infrared astronomy satellite, infrared telescope on Spacelab 2, design alternatives for the Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility, Spacelab 2 infrared telescope cryogenic system, geometrical theory of diffraction and telescope stray-light analysis, Space Telescope scientific instruments, faint-object spectrograph for the Space Telescope, light scattering from multilayer optics, bidirectional reflectance distribution function measurements of stray light suppression coatings for the Space Telescope, optical fabrication of a 60-in. mirror, interferogram analysis for space optics, nuclear-pumped lasers for space application, geophysical fluid flow experiment, coherent rays for optical astronomy in space, optical system with fiber-optical elements, and Pioneer-Venus solar flux radiometer.

Wyman, C. L.↗

Correction of Cloud Optical Thickness Retrievals from Nadir Reflectances in the Presence of 3D Radiative Effects. Part I: Concept and Tests on 3D RT Simulations

3D effects cause substantial underestimation of cloud optical thickness (COT) in airborne and satellite retrievals based on 1D radiative transfer computations (such as in the case of widely used bispectral technique). For a single-layer isolated cloud we propose a simple linear correction of the retrieved COT with the renormalization factor dependent on the cloud’s aspect ratio (the ratio between vertical and horizontal dimensions of the cloud). This is an empirical assumption which we successfully test using synthetic 3D RT data. We introduce a heuristic “block model” of 3D radiative effects and show that the functional form of the renormalization factor is consistent with the process of radiation escape from cloud sides in an essentially 3D geometry. We also extend the block model to the case of single-layer broken cloud field with radiative interaction between the neighboring clouds. In this case the renormalization factor depends also on the distance between clouds.

cloud optical thickness↗

Speckle interferometry using fiber optic phase stepping

A system employing closed-loop phase-stepping is used to measure the out-of-plane deformation of a diffusely reflecting object. Optical fibers are used to provide reference and object beam illumination for a standard two-beam speckle interferometer, providing set-up flexibility and ease of alignment. Piezoelectric fiber-stretchers and a phase-measurement/servo system are used to provide highly accurate phase steps. Intensity data is captured with a charge-injection-device camera, and is converted into a phase map using a desktop computer. The closed-loop phase-stepping system provides 90 deg phase steps which are accurate to 0.02 deg, greatly improving this system relative to open-loop interferometers. The system is demonstrated on a speckle interferometer, measuring the rigid-body translation of a diffusely reflecting object with an accuracy + or - 10 deg, or roughly + or - 15 nanometers. This accuracy is achieved without the use of a pneumatically mounted optics table.

Mercer, Carolyn R.↗

Contamination effects study

The in-situ optical surface measurement system is a facility designed to study the deleterious effects of particulate materials on the surface reflectivities of optical materials in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV). This arrangement is designed to simulate the on-orbit effects of contamination and degradation of optical surfaces. This simulation is accomplished through the use of non-coherent VUV sources illuminating optical surfaces located in a high vacuum chamber. Several sources of contamination are employed. The reflectivity is measured both at the specular reflection as well as at two scattered positions, forward and reverse. The system components are described and an operating procedure is given.

Source record↗

Fiber optic microphone having a pressure sensing reflective membrane and a voltage source for calibration purpose

A fiber optic microphone is provided for measuring fluctuating pressures. An optical fiber probe having at least one transmitting fiber for transmitting light to a pressure-sensing membrane and at least one receiving fiber for receiving light reflected from a stretched membrane is provided. The pressure-sensing membrane may be stretched for high frequency response. Further, a reflecting surface of the pressure-sensing membrane may have dimensions which substantially correspond to dimensions of a cross section of the optical fiber probe. Further, the fiber optic microphone can be made of materials for use in high temperature environments, for example greater than 1000 F. A fiber optic probe is also provided with a back plate for damping membrane motion. The back plate further provides a means for on-line calibration of the microphone.

Zuckerwar, Allan J.↗

Studies of dust grain properties in infrared reflection nebulae

A model has been developed for reflection nebulae around luminous IR sources embedded in dense dust clouds. The shape of the IR spectrum is shown to be the result of a combination of the scattering properties of the dust, the spectrum of the illuminating source, and foreground extinction, while geometry plays a minor role. Comparison of the model results with IR observations of the reflection nebula surrounding OMC-2/IRS 1 shows that either a grain size distribution like that found in the diffuse ISM, or consisting of larger grains, can explain the observed shape of the spectrum. However, the absolute intensity level of the scattered light, as well as the observed polarization, requires large grains. By adding water-ice mantles to the silicate and graphite cores, the 3.08 micron ice-band feature observed in the spectra of several IR reflection nebulae has been modeled. It is shown that this ice band arises naturally in optically thick reflection nebulae containing ice-coated grains.

Pendleton, Y. J.↗

Relation of the diffuse reflectance remission function to the fundamental optical parameters.

The Kubelka-Munk equations describing the diffuse reflectance of a powdered sample were compared to equations obtained using a uniformly-sized rough-surfaced spherical particle model. The comparison resulted in equations relating the remission function and the Kubelka-Munk constants to the index of refraction, the absorption coefficient, and the average particle diameter of a powdered sample. Published experimental results were used to test the equation relating to the remission function to the fundamental optical parameters.

Simmons, E. L.↗

Calculating the bidirectional reflectance of natural vegetation covers using Boolean models and geometric optics

The bidirectional radiance or reflectance of a forest or woodland can be modeled using principles of geometric optics and Boolean models for random sets in a three dimensional space. This model may be defined at two levels, the scene includes four components; sunlight and shadowed canopy, and sunlit and shadowed background. The reflectance of the scene is modeled as the sum of the reflectances of the individual components as weighted by their areal proportions in the field of view. At the leaf level, the canopy envelope is an assemblage of leaves, and thus the reflectance is a function of the areal proportions of sunlit and shadowed leaf, and sunlit and shadowed background. Because the proportions of scene components are dependent upon the directions of irradiance and exitance, the model accounts for the hotspot that is well known in leaf and tree canopies.

Strahler, Alan H.↗

Applying Orbital Multi-Angle Photopolarimetric Observations to Study Properties of Aerosols in the Earth's Atmosphere: Implications of Measurements in the 1.378 µm Spectral Channel to Retrieve Microphysical Characteristics and Composition of Stratospheric Aerosols

We analyze the possibilities of orbital photopolarimetric measurements to study properties of aerosols in the Earth's atmosphere. As an example, we consider the case when such measurements are performed within a narrow spectral channel centered at 1.378 µm that allows to retrieve microphysical characteristics of stratospheric aerosols separately from those of tropospheric aerosols. We consider the case of stratospheric aerosols caused by volcanic eruption, and adopt the model of the stratosphere in the form of a homogeneous plane-parallel layer composed of polydisperse spherical particles. We use numerically exact solutions of the vector radiative transfer equation to theoretically simulate measurements carried out at various numbers of scattering angles, including: (i) radiance measurements alone; (ii) polarization measurements alone; and (iii) radiance and polarization measurements together. The results of computations show that the simultaneous use of radiance and polarization measurements at a sufficiently large number of scattering angles enables one to retrieve the optical thickness, effective radius, and refractive index of aerosols with adequate accuracy. We demonstrate how the accuracy of the derived values of the optical parameters of aerosols depends on the accuracy of measurements of the intensity and polarization of the reflected light, optical thickness of aerosol layer itself, effective radius of aerosols, width of the particle size distribution, and number of viewing angles.

Aerosols↗

Evaluation and study of advanced optical contamination, deposition, measurement, and removal techniques

A program is described to design, fabricate and install an experimental work chamber assembly (WCA) to provide a wide range of experimental capability. The WCA incorporates several techniques for studying the kinetics of contaminant films and their effect on optical surfaces. It incorporates the capability for depositing both optical and contaminant films on temperature-controlled samples, and for in-situ measurements of the vacuum ultraviolet reflectance. Ellipsometer optics are mounted on the chamber for film thickness determinations, and other features include access ports for radiation sources and instrumentation. Several supporting studies were conducted to define specific chamber requirements, to determine the sensitivity of the measurement techniques to be incorporated in the chamber, and to establish procedures for handling samples prior to their installation in the chamber. A bibliography and literature survey of contamination-related articles is included.

Linford, R. M. F.↗

A system for the study of molecular contamination

An experimental vacuum chambers was designed and fabricated to provide a wide range of experimental capability. This work chamber assembly (WCA) was conceived to establish the proof-of-principle of various techniques for studying the kinetics of contaminants and their effects. It incorporates the capability for depositing both optical and contaminant films on temperature-controlled samples, and for in-situ measurements of the vacuum ultraviolet reflectance. Ellipsometer optics are mounted on the chamber for film thickness determinations, and other features include access ports for radiation sources and instrumentation.

Dillow, C. F.↗

Enhanced luminance of the moon.

Lunar surface luminance transient enhancement noting photoabsorbing color center formation, increased reflectivity and photoluminescence, photoionization and photoemission

LUNAR LUMINESCENCE↗