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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 307 records · Page 17

Development of tunable high pressure CO2 laser for lidar measurements of pollutants and wind velocities, January 1976 to December 1977

A tunable multiatmospheric pulsed CO2 laser with emphasis on experimental features and supporting theoretical analyses important to differential absorption lidar and Doppler lidar measurement of pollutants and wind velocities is reported. The energy deposition and the means to produce the uniform high density plasma in the multiatmospheric medium, through UV preionization of an organic seed gas is discussed. Design features of the pulsed CO2 laser are presented. The radiative processes which are operative and prevent the laser from breaking into oscillations in a large number of modes over its broad amplification bandwidth are described. The mode competition for the transient pulsed laser oscillation in a standing wave and traveling wave ring laser configuration is discussed and contrasted with the approach to steady state oscillations. The latter findings are important to transient injection locking for production of a highly stable pulsed CO2 laser output.

Javan, A.↗

The dominant mode of standing Alfven waves at synchronous orbit

Low-frequency oscillations of the earth's magnetic field recorded by the UCLA magnetometer on board ATS-1, have been examined for the six-month interval, January-June, 1968. The initial interpretation, that these oscillations represent the second harmonic of a standing Alfven wave, has been re-examined, and it is concluded that this hypothesis must be withdrawn. Using evidence from OGO-5 and ATS-5, as well as the data from ATS-1, it is argued that the dominant mode at the synchronous orbit must be the fundamental rather than the second harmonic. From 14 instances when the oscillations of distinctly different periods occurred during the same time interval at ATS-1 it is concluded that higher harmonics can exist. The period ratio in 7 of the 14 cases corresponds to the simultaneous occurrence of the second harmonic with the fundamental, and 4 other cases could be identified as the simultaneous occurrence of the fourth harmonic with the fundamental.

Cummings, W. D.↗

Low-frequency oscillations of forced barotropic flow

Jin and Ghil demonstrate that for topographically resonant flow, low-frequency finite-amplitude oscillations may arise from wave -- wave interactions and topographic form drag. Their model is extended to include a zonally asymmetric vorticity source, which is shown to interact with the perturbation field to produce zonally rectified wave fluxes that dramatically alter the Hopf bifurcation from stationary solutions to low-frequency oscillations. The frequency, intensity, and general character of these oscillations are shown to depend crucially upon the phasing and relative strength of the forcings.

Nathan, Terrence R.↗

Investigation of Tropical Transport with UARS Data

Measurements of trace constituents obtained by instruments aboard the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) have been used to study transport processes associated with the quasi-biennial oscillation, laterally propagating Rossby waves, and upward propagating Kelvin waves in the tropical and subtropical upper troposphere and stratosphere. Mean vertical motions, vertical diffusivities and in-mixing rates were inferred from observations of the 'tape recorder' signal in near-equatorial stratospheric water vapor. The effect of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) on tracer distributions in the upper half of the stratosphere was seen in a spectacular 'staircase' pattern, predominantly in the winter hemisphere, revealing the latitudinally asymmetric nature of QBO transport due to induced mean meridional circulations and modulation of lateral mixing associated with planetary Rossby waves. The propagation of Rossby waves across the equator in the westerly phase of the QBO was seen in tracer fields and corroborating United Kingdom Meteorological Office (UKMO) analyses; a modeling study of the effect of these waves on typical QBO wind profiles was performed. Water vapor in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere was found to exhibit signatures of the tropical intraseasonal oscillation (TIO) and faster Kelvin waves in the two regions, respectively.

Dunkerton, Timothy J.↗

A study and classification of non-linear high frequency ionospheric instabilities by coupled mode theory.

Two basic high-frequency ionospheric instabilities are discussed - i.e., the three-wave parametric interaction, and the oscillating two-stream instability. In the parametric instability, the ion-acoustic wave has a complex frequency, whereas in the oscillating two-stream instability the ion-acoustic frequency is purely imaginary. The parametric instability is shown to be the only one whose threshold depends on the ion collision frequency. A coupled-mode theory is proposed which permits study and classification of high-frequency instabilities on a unified basis.

Harker, K. J.↗

The quasiquadrennial oscillation of Jupiter's equatorial stratosphere

Jupiter's 4-5 yr stratospheric equatorial temperature oscillation is compared here with two long-period oscillations of zonal winds in the earth's equatorial stratosphere, and it is proposed that the same mechanism - forcing by the stress of vertically propagating waves - responsible for the oscillations on both planets. Jupiter's temperature oscillation has been observed for slightly more than two cycles and closely resembles the temperature signatures of the earth's semiannual oscillation and quasi-biennial oscillation. If the mechanisms responsible for these oscillations are indeed similar, Jupiter's oscillation indicate that there is significant vertical momentum transport due to equatorially trapped atmospheric waves, and it may provide a means for probing the poorly understood process of the generation of these waves by convection.

Leovy, Conway B.↗

Spectral Analysis of Vibrational Harmonic Motion by use of a Continuous-Wave CO2 Doppler Lidar

Vibrational motion of a harmonic oscillator was investigated using a focused continuous wave CO2 Doppler lidar at 9.1 microns wavelength. A continuum of frequencies along with many discrete, equally spaced, resonant frequency modes was observed. The frequency modes are similar in structure to the oscillatory longitudinal modes of a laser cavity and arise because of interference of the natural resonant frequency of the oscillator with specific frequencies within the continuum. The spectra revealed departures from linear motion for vigorous vibrations of the oscillator. Each consecutive resonant frequency mode occurred for a movement of the oscillator much less than the wavelength of incident lidar radiation.

Jarzembski, Maurice A.↗

Coupling of the quasi-biennial oscillation and the extratropical circulation in the stratosphere through planetary wave transport

The effects of tropical winds on the extratropical circulation are examined using calculations of eddy transport with tropical flow that is representative of the easterly and westerly phases of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). A dependence of extratropical circulation on tropical winds and the QBO is shown to originate in planetary wave transport. Also, the effects of low latitude flow on high latitude circulation and the behavior of the vortex in opposite phases of the QBO are examined.

O'Sullivan, Donal↗

Multimode and multistate ladder oscillator and frequency recognition device

A ladder oscillator composed of capacitive and inductive impedances connected together to form a ladder network which has a chosen number N oscillation modes at N different frequencies. Each oscillation mode is characterized by a unique standing wave voltage pattern along the nodes of the ladder oscillator, with the mode in which the ladder oscillator is oscillating being determinable from the amplitudes or phase of the oscillations at the nodes. A logic circuit may be connected to the nodes of the oscillator to compare the phases of selected nodes and thereby determine which mode the oscillator is oscillating in. A ladder oscillator composed of passive capacitive and inductive impedances can be utilized as a frequency recognition device, since the passive ladder oscillator will display the characteristic standing wave patterns if an input signal impressed upon the ladder oscillator is close to one of the mode frequencies of the oscillator. A CL ladder oscillator having series capacitive impedances and shunt inductive impedances can exhibit sustained and autonomous oscillations if active nonlinear devices are connected in parallel with the shunt inductive impedances. The active CL ladder oscillator can be synchronized to input frequencies impressed upon the oscillator, and will continue to oscillate after the input signal has been removed at a mode frequency which is, in general, nearest to the input signal frequency. Autonomous oscillations may also be obtained as desired from the active CL ladder oscillator at the mode frequencies.

Aumann, Herbert M.↗

Can oscillations grow in a sunspot umbra.

Umbral flashes and running penumbral waves have been attributed by Moore (1972) to overstable oscillations in the umbra. His numerical results were derived by inserting physical conditions at two particular depths beneath the umbral surface. Seven variables must be specified at each point. We have extended Moore's analysis to examine the depth-dependence of overstable oscillations in a recently computed umbral model. Electrical conductivity is evaluated taking full account of partial ionization and magnetic fields. In the surface layers, within 250 km of the top of the umbral convection zone, the conductivity is so low that Joule dissipation is more rapid than the growth rate of oscillations. In these layers, Moore's results are therefore not applicable. At greater depths, oscillations can grow and we agree with Moore that both umbral flashes and penumbral waves may be due to overstable oscillations. However, we suggest that both phenomena can arise at the same depth in the spot, and not in two layers, as Moore suggests.

Mullan, D. J.↗

Plasma waves near Saturn - Initial results from Voyager 1

The Voyager 1 plasma wave instrument detected many familiar types of plasma waves during the encounter with Saturn, including ion-acoustic waves and electron plasma oscillations upstream of the bow shock, an intense burst of electrostatic noise at the shock, and chorus, hiss, electrostatic electron cyclotron waves, and upper hybrid resonance emissions in the inner magnetosphere. A clocklike Saturn rotational control of low-frequency radio emissions was observed, and evidence was obtained of possible control by the moon Dione. Strong plasma wave emissions were detected at the Titan encounter indicating the presence of a turbulent sheath extending around Titan, and upper hybrid resonance measurements of the electron density show the existence of a dense plume of plasma being carried downstream of Titan by the interaction with the rapidly rotating magnetosphere of Saturn.

Gurnett, D. A.↗

Plasma waves near the sun: Advances possible with a solar probe

A review is presented of current experimental and theoretical knowledge of plasma waves in the solar wind, with comments on the scientific importance of obtaining plasma wave measurements in the region near the sun with the solar probe. The waves discussed include the acoustic waves and shocks which are thought to be the primary source for heating the solar corona, Alfven waves, ion-cyclotron waves, whistler-mode turbulence, ion-acoustic waves, and electron plasma oscillations associated with solar radio emissions. A discussion is presented of the types of measurements which would be needed to study these waves on the solar probe, the constraints imposed on the spacecraft and the research and development which would be needed to provide the necessary instrumentation.

Gurnett, D. A.↗

Standing Alfven waves in the magnetosphere.

Transverse LF oscillations in geomagnetic field observed during January 1967, noting possibility of being second harmonic of magnetospheric standing Alfven waves

Coleman, P. J., Jr.↗

Computational study of nonlinear plasma waves: 1: Simulation model and monochromatic wave propagation

An economical low noise plasma simulation model is applied to a series of problems associated with electrostatic wave propagation in a one-dimensional, collisionless, Maxwellian plasma, in the absence of magnetic field. The model is described and tested, first in the absence of an applied signal, and then with a small amplitude perturbation, to establish the low noise features and to verify the theoretical linear dispersion relation at wave energy levels as low as 0.000,001 of the plasma thermal energy. The method is then used to study propagation of an essentially monochromatic plane wave. Results on amplitude oscillation and nonlinear frequency shift are compared with available theories. The additional phenomena of sideband instability and satellite growth, stimulated by large amplitude wave propagation and the resulting particle trapping, are described.

Matda, Y.↗

Parametrically disciplined operation of a vibratory gyroscope

Parametrically disciplined operation of a symmetric nearly degenerate mode vibratory gyroscope is disclosed. A parametrically-disciplined inertial wave gyroscope having a natural oscillation frequency in the neighborhood of a sub-harmonic of an external stable clock reference is produced by driving an electrostatic bias electrode at approximately twice this sub-harmonic frequency to achieve disciplined frequency and phase operation of the resonator. A nearly symmetric parametrically-disciplined inertial wave gyroscope that can oscillate in any transverse direction and has more than one bias electrostatic electrode that can be independently driven at twice its oscillation frequency at an amplitude and phase that disciplines its damping to zero in any vibration direction. In addition, operation of a parametrically-disciplined inertial wave gyroscope is taught in which the precession rate of the driven vibration pattern is digitally disciplined to a prescribed non-zero reference value.

Shcheglov, Kirill V.↗