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At least 289 records · Page 16

Laser-spectroscopic measurement techniques for hypersonic, turbulent wind tunnel flows

A review is given of the nature, present status, and capabilities of two laser spectroscopic methods for the simultaneous measurement of temperature, density, and their fluctuations owing to turbulence in high speed wind tunnel flows. One method is based on the two frequency excitation of nitric oxide seeded into a nitrogen flow, using tunable dye lasers. The second, more recent method relies on the excitation of oxygen in air flows using a tunable, ArF excimer laser. Signal are obtained from both the laser induced fluorescence and from Raman scattering of the same laser pulse. Measurements are demonstrated in the turbulent boundary layer of a Mach-2 channel flow.

Mckenzie, Robert L.↗

Study of InGaAs-based modulation doped field effect transistor structures using variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry

Variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to estimate the thicknesses of all layers within the optical penetration depth of InGaAs-based modulation doped field effect transistor structures. Strained and unstrained InGaAs channels were made by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on InP substrates and by metal organic chemical vapor deposition on GaAs substrates. In most cases, ellipsometrically determined thicknesses were within 10 percent of the growth-calibration results. The MBE-made InGaAs strained layers showed large strain effects, indicating a probable shift in the critical point of their dielectric function toward the InP lattice-matched concentration.

Alterovitz, Samuel A.↗

Stratospheric HNO3 measurements from 0.002/cm resolution solar occultation spectra and improved spectroscopic line parameters in the 5.8-micron region

Very-high-resolution FWHM solar-occultation spectra are investigated with a balloon-borne interferometer using revised spectroscopic line parameters for HNO3, O3, and H2O. The O3 and H2O data are evaluated to determine their capacity for interference in the HNO3 line which is studied in the nu sub 2 band at 5.8 microns. The line parameters developed with the stratospheric data are compared to data based on a HITRAN compilation as well as laboratory spectra with a 0.002/cm resolution. The line list is calculated and shown to include J and Ka transitions which improve the line parameters for HNO3 by accounting for the weaker absorption features in the stratospheric spectra. The stratospheric HNO3 profile developed analytically is compared to those based on reported measurements, and the one developed with the stratospheric solar spectra is found to be consistent with the measurements and confirm inherent measurement biases.

Goldman, A.↗

Aberration-corrected aspheric grating designs for the Lyman/Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer high-resolution spectrograph - A comparison

Two approaches to reducing the optical aberrations of concave diffraction gratings have been studied to obtain candidate grating designs for the Lyman/Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer mission. The first approach involves shaping the grating substrate while using straight and equally spaced grooves. The second approach involves using a gating substrate with a relatively simple figure and holographically controlling the groove curvature and spacing. Specific designs derived from both approaches are analyzed and compared.

Trout, Catherine↗

Atomic oxygen effects on thin film space coatings studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy, and laser light scattering

The University of Nebraska is currently evaluating Low Earth Orbit (LEO) simulation techniques as well as a variety of thin film protective coatings to withstand atomic oxygen (AO) degradation. Both oxygen plasma ashers and an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) source are being used for LEO simulation. Thin film coatings are characterized by optical techniques including Variable Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometry, Optical spectrophotometry, and laser light scatterometry. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is also used to characterize surface morphology. Results on diamondlike carbon (DLC) films show that DLC degrades with simulated AO exposure at a rate comparable to Kapton polyimide. Since DLC is not as susceptible to environmental factors such as moisture absorption, it could potentially provide more accurate measurements of AO fluence on short space flights.

Synowicki, R. A.↗

Study of temperature-dependent ultrathin oxide growth on Si(111) using variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry

The monolayer-sensitive variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry technique was used to study the temperature-dependent growth mechanisms of an ultrathin oxide layer on top of silicon. The oxidation was done in atomic oxygen produced in a pure oxygen plasma and driven by an RF power source. The results have been compared with the recently proposed model of Murali and Murarka for ultrathin oxide growth on top of silicon. The activation energies of different growth parameters associated with the oxide growth have also been determined.

De, Bhola N.↗

The orbital parameters and the IUE spectrum of the single-lined spectroscopic binary HD 698

IUE observations of the spectroscopic binary HD 698 show that its continuous spectrum corresponds to that of a B5 III-II object and that, even in the ultraviolet, the object is single-lined. The spectrum displays several sets of lines, all in absorption, where features can be distinguished that partake of the orbital motion of the B5 component, lines that suggest the existence of nonthermal sources of energy, and lines that form at the boundary of the circumstellar envelope, part of them being of purely interstellar origin. The circumbinary envelope appears to expand and then starts decelerating before the layer is reached where the resonance doublet of Si IV originates. The 'discrete absorptions' that are characteristics of the spectra of early-type stars are present in the spectrum. New values of the orbital period and of the rest of the orbital parameters are determined on the basis of all the available ground-based data.

Sahade, Jorge↗

Qualitative spectroscopic study of magnetic nozzle flow

The physics of the magnetic nozzle flow for a 100-kW-level quasi-steady MPD thruster was studied by photographic spectroscopy focusing on the plasma model in the flow and the acceleration mechanism. Spectroscopic visualization for the flow-species analysis indicates that the plasma-exhaust flow dominated by NII species were confined by the magnetic nozzle effect to collimate the flow for the better thruster performance. Inside the nozzle, the plasma flow was found to be in nonhomogeneous collisional-radiative condition. There appears to be a substantial flow acceleration from the magnetic nozzle inlet to the outlet with slight expansion. This suggests that the flow resembles that of constant area supersonic duct flow with cooling.

Umeki, T.↗

Spectroscopic wear detector

The elemental composition of a material exposed to hot gases and subjected to wear is determined. Atoms of an elemental species not appearing in this material are implanted in a surface at a depth based on the maximum allowable wear. The exhaust gases are spectroscopically monitored to determine the exposure of these atoms when the maximum allowable wear is reached.

Madzsar, George C.↗

Planetary atmospheres: Microwave spectroscopic studies of planetary atmospheres

Ground-based spectroscopic observations of isotopes of CO in the atmospheres of Mars, Venus, and Titan have been collected over the 1982-1990 period. These observations have been analyzed to obtain information on the photochemistry, dynamics, and thermal profiles of these planetary atmospheres. In the cases of the mesosphere (80-100 km altitude) of Venus and the lower atmosphere (0-70 km altitude) of Mars, the primary conclusion of this research is that significant interannual variations in the global thermal and compositional structures of these atmospheres occur over 10 year periods. The Titan studies have focussed on pinning down the true atmospheric CO abundance. A more detailed summary of the results for each of these planetary atmospheres is provided.

Clancy, R. Todd↗

The Large Angle Spectroscopic Coronagraph (LASCO): Visible light coronal imaging and spectroscopy

The Large Angle Spectroscopic Coronagraph (LASCO) is a triple coronagraph being jointly developed for the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) mission. LASCO comprises three nested coronagraphs (C1, C2, and C3) that image the solar corona for 1.1 to 30 solar radii (C1: 1.1 to 3 solar radii, C2: 1.5 to 6 solar radii, and C3: 3 to 30.0 solar radii). The inner coronagraph (C1) is a newly developed mirror version of the classic Lyot coronagraph without an external occultor, while the middle coronagraph (C2) and the outer coronagraph (C3) are externally occulted instruments. High resolution coronal spectroscopy from 1.1 to 3 R solar radii can be performed by using a Fabry-Perot interferometer, which is part of C1. High volume memories and a high speed microprocessor enable extensive onboard image processing. Image compression by factors of 10 to 20 will result in the transmission of 10 to 20 full images per hour.

Brueckner, Guenter E.↗

Infrared spectroscopic parameters of COF2, SF6, ClO, N2, and O2

The status of the middle infrared spectroscopy of selected atmospheric trace gases, COF2, SF6, ClO, N2, and O2 is reviewed. Emphasis is placed on improved sets of spectroscopic parameters that have been included in the 1991 and 1992 versions of the HITRAN database.

Rinsland, Curtis P.↗

Spectroscopic and lasing properties of Ho:Tm:LuAG

Ho:Tm:LuAG has been grown, examined spectroscopically, and lased at 2.1 microns. Ho:Tm:LuAG was selected for this experimental investigation when quantum-mechanical modeling predicted that it would be a good laser material for Ho laser operation on one of the 5I7 to 5I8 transitions. Lasing was achieved at 2.100 microns, one of the three wavelengths predicted to be most probable for laser action.

Barnes, Norman P.↗

Spectroscopic ellipsometry studies of HF treated Si (100) surfaces

Both ex situ and in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) measurements were employed to investigate the effect of HF cleaning on Si surfaces. The hydrogen-terminated (H-terminated) Si surface was modeled as an equivalent dielectric layer, and monitored in real time by SE measurements. The SE analyses indicate that, after a 20-sec 9:1 HF dip without rinse, the Si (100) surface was passivated by the hydrogen termination and remained chemically stable. Roughness of the HF-etched bare Si (100) surface was observed, in an ultrahigh vacuum chamber (UHV), and analyzed by the in situ SE. Evidence for desorption of the H-terminated Si surface layer, after being heated to about 550 C in the UHV chamber, is presented and discussed. This is the first use of an ex situ and in situ real-time, nondestructive technique capable of showing state of passivation, the rate of reoxidation, and the surface roughness of the H-terminated Si surfaces.

Yao, Huade↗

Spectroscopic observations of V443 Herculis - A symbiotic binary with a low mass white dwarf

We present an analysis of new and existing photometric and spectroscopic observations of the symbiotic binary V443 Herculis. This binary system consists of a normal M5 giant and a hot compact star. These two objects have comparable luminosities: about 1500 solar for the M5 giant and about 1000 solar for the compact star. We identify three nebular regions in this binary: a small, highly ionized volume surrounding the hot component, a modestly ionized shell close to the red giant photosphere, and a less dense region of intermediate ionization encompassing both binary components. The system parameters for V443 Her suggest the hot component currently declines from a symbiotic nova eruption.

Dobrzycka, Danuta↗

Error analysis applied to several inversion techniques used for the retrieval of middle atmospheric constituents from limb-scanning MM-wave spectroscopic measurements

The formal retrieval error analysis of Rodgers (1990) allows the quantitative determination of such retrieval properties as measurement error sensitivity, resolution, and inversion bias. This technique was applied to five numerical inversion techniques and two nonlinear iterative techniques used for the retrieval of middle atmospheric constituent concentrations from limb-scanning millimeter-wave spectroscopic measurements. It is found that the iterative methods have better vertical resolution, but are slightly more sensitive to measurement error than constrained matrix methods. The iterative methods converge to the exact solution, whereas two of the matrix methods under consideration have an explicit constraint, the sensitivity of the solution to the a priori profile. Tradeoffs of these retrieval characteristics are presented.

Puliafito, E.↗

Spectroscopic investigation of a low-power arcjet plume

We report the results of spectroscopic measurements on the exhaust plume from a 1 kW NASA Lewis arcjet operated on simulated ammonia. In particular, we analyze emissions from the Balmer lines of atomic hydrogen and from one of the rotational bands of the NH radical. We find that exit plane temperatures are in the range 2000 to 3500 K, depending on the measurement method, and that the electron density upstream of the exit plane is on the order of 1.5 x 10 exp 14/cu cm as determined by the Stark width of the Balmer-alpha line. Also, we have determined that the average velocity of atomic hydrogen at the exit plane is about 4 km/sec, and that strong acceleration (to 5.5 km/sec) of the flow occurs just beyond the exit plane.

Ruyten, W. M.↗

Spectroscopic investigations of beam-plasma interactions in an ion plume

We report the results of spectroscopic investigations of beam-plasma interactions in the plume from a 3 cm ion source operated on argon. Ion-electron, ion-neutral, and electron-neutral scattering are identified by studying the dependence of neutral and ion emission intensities on chamber pressure and mass flow rate, and by analyzing the emission lineshapes at a non-orthogonal angle to the plume axis. Through the Doppler shift, we are able to separate contributions from fast beam ions and fast charge-exchange neutrals on the one hand, and of slow neutrals and slow ions on the other. We discuss the application of this new technique to the characterization of beam plasma interactions in the downstream region of ion thruster engines, and its potential for identifying the processes which lead to grid erosion.

Ruyten, W. M.↗