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At least 307 records · Page 17

Final Technical Report: Innovative Magnetron Power Sources for Superconducting RF (SRF) Accelerators

In this project, MUONS is designing and building custom magnetrons at Richardson Electronics (RELL) to test the predictions of the models and make improvements to the designs to match the needs of NP SRF accelerators and their life-cycle costs. To increase lifetime, the filament temperature is controlled by a feedback circuit that includes a model of back streaming of electrons. The gain of the magnetron is optimized by the design of an input port. A permanent magnet design with trim coil for amplitude adjustment reduces energy consumption. Moving the construction of the magnetron from prototype to manufacturing includes the utilization of RELL processes and designs. To the extent that outgassing of materials influences the lifetime of the magnetron, methods for minimizing outgassing was explored. Further experimentation of the potential of sub-critical voltage operation continues to be explored. The commercialization goal of the project will be naturally achieved as RELL already has world-wide marketing, sales, and support to exploit the assembly-line capabilities generated by this project to enable magnetron technologies for NP accelerators.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Vacuum-baking provides many advantages for LiH

In vacuum applications, the thermal decomposition of LiOH corrosion on LiH causes undesirable hydrogen outgassing. The quantity of outgassing is dependent on the thermal stability of the corrosion layer, which depends on sample treatment. We have measured the decomposition of LiOH on as-polished LiH and on previously vacuum-baked LiH (i.e., Li 2 O-covered LiH) which both experienced moisture re-exposure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Optimizing Material Selection and Operational Conditions for XHV Systems: Lessons from AISI 1020 and 316L Comparative Studies

In this study, AISI 1020 low-carbon steel is investigated as a cost-effective alternative to SS316 stainless steel for reaching extreme high vacuum (XHV) conditions. After being baked at 400°C, a vacuum chamber made of the low-carbon steel material exhibited an outgassing rate approximately 2000 times smaller than a similar chamber made of stainless steel. Its activation energy for hydrogen diffusion (27 kJ/mol) is less than half that of stainless steel (60.3 kJ/mol), indicating more efficient hydrogen removal during bakeout. MolFlow+ simulations supported the experimental data and demonstrated the importance of system geometry optimization and minimizing stainless steel content for achieving optimal vacuum performance. AISI 1020's magnetic properties, typically considered disadvantageous for accelerator applications, could benefit spin-polarized electron sources by shielding photocathodes from stray fields while simultaneously providing improved vacuum through reduced outgassing. To optimize AISI 1020's performance in XHV systems, practical considerations include pre-baking protocols and careful system design to minimize stainless steel components.

Al-Allaq, Aiman H.↗

Vacuum stability testing of Apollo 15 Scientific Instrument Module (SIM) non-metallic materials and reversion of silicone rubber in a motor switch

Vacuum stability screening tests were performed on the Apollo 15 Scientific Instrument Module (SIM) bay nonmetallic materials in accordance with the NASA document SP-R-0022. The testing was necessary to support the evaluation to determine the effect material outgassing contamination would have on the SIM bay optical lenses and sensing devices. The Apollo 15 SIM experiments were highly successful, therefore, it is assumed that contamination due to the outgassing of nonmetallic materials did not affect equipment operation. A related problem, the reversion of a silicone rubber grommet which affected an electrical motor switch operation is also reported.

Clancy, H. M.↗

Self-contamination and environment of an orbiting satellite.

The flux of molecules emitted by the satellite and subsequently returning to its surface is investigated. The reflection occurs upon collision of these with ambient molecules. The evaluation of this flux is carried out from a knowledge of the outgassing rate of the satellite, its dimensions, and the orbit parameters. Condensation rates and adsorption layers on critical surfaces are calculated from the knowledge of this flux, and from the natures and temperatures of the gas and the surface. The calculation of these parameters, based on estimated and in some cases measured emission rates, has been carried out for a number of satellites. These developed relationships and graphs allow the estimation of several important parameters for an orbiting satellite. This report presents the pressures and densities at various distances from the satellite as produced by the surrounding ambient molecules and by the outgassing of the satellite.

Scialdone, J. J.↗

Mass transport contamination study

A theoretical analysis was performed to determine the effects of outgassing and waste dumping on the contamination field around an orbiting spacecraft. The spacecraft was assumed to be spherical in shape with the mass flow emitting uniformly from the spherical surface at a constant rate and in a D'Lambertian spatial distribution. The outflow of gases were assumed to be neutrally charged and of a single species with a molecular weight characteristic of a composite of the actual species involved in the mass flow. The theoretical analysis showed that, for outgassing only, less than 1.5 percent of the outgas products will return to the Skylab spacecraft as a result of intermolecular collisions. When the total mass flow from the spacecraft, including waste dumps and reaction control motor firings, was considered, it was estimated that about 30 percent will return to the spacecraft.

Robertson, S. J.↗

Feasibility study of oxygen-dispensing emitters for thermionic converters, phase 1

A metal/ceramic Marchuk tube was used to measure work functions of oxygen-doped tantalum, to determine applicability of the material to plasma-mode thermionic converters. Oxygen-doped tantalum was shown to increase in work function monotonically with oxygen doping in the range 0.1 to 0.3 atomic percent. Oxygenated test emitters were run at an average temperature of 2165 K and a T/T sub Cs ratio -5.8 to observe the influence of oxygen depletion. Bare work function decreased with outgassing of oxygen. Projections were made based on outgassing kinetics and area/volume ratios to calculate the longevity of oxygen doping in a practical converter. Calculations indicated that the program goal of 10,000 hr could be achieved at 1800 K with an initial oxygen doping of 1 atomic percent and a practical emitter area/volume ratio.

Desteese, J. G.↗

Water vapor from a lunar breccia - Implications for evolving planetary atmospheres.

The exposure of a typical complex lunar breccia to hydrogen after a through outgassing produces a fully reduced surface state. Subsequent outgassing over a wide temperature range results in the production of water vapor formed from the chemisorbed hydrogen and oxygen from the lunar sample; the proposed mechanism has been confirmed in terms of the chemisorption of deuterium and the release of heavy water. Since the conditions of the experiments are consistent with those on the lunar surface, it is postulated that water vapor will be produced on the moon through the interaction of the solar wind with lunar soil. It is also proposed that such a process could play an important role in the early history of many planets where an oxygen-rich soil is exposed to a reducing atmosphere.

Cadenhead, D. A.↗

Gas flow analysis during thermal vacuum test of a spacecraft.

The pressures indicated by two tubulated ionization gages, one pointing to a spinning spacecraft undergoing thermal vacuum test and the other the walls of the chamber, have been used in a computer program to calculate important parameters of flow kinetics in the vacuum chamber. These parameters calculated as a function of time are: the self-contamination of the spacecraft (defined as the return of outgassed molecules on its critical surfaces either in orbit or while undergoing vacuum test); the spacecraft outgassing including leaks from sealed compartments; and the gas pumping performance of the vacuum chamber. The test indicated the feasibility of this type of evaluation and the improvements in instrumentations and arrangements needed for future tests.

Scialdone, J. J.↗

The greenhouse of Titan.

Analysis of non-gray radiative equilibrium and gray convective equilibrium on Titan suggests that a massive molecular-hydrogen greenhouse effect may be responsible for the disagreement between the observed IR temperatures and the equilibrium temperature of an atmosphereless Titan. Calculations of convection indicate a probable minimum optical depth of 14 which corresponds to a molecular hydrogen shell of substantial thickness with total pressures of about 0.1 bar. It is suggested that there is an equilibrium between outgassing and blow-off on the one hand and accretion from the protons trapped in a hypothetical Saturnian magnetic field on the other, in the present atmosphere of Titan. It is believed that an outgassing equivalent to the volatilization of a few kilometers of subsurface ice is required to maintain the present blow-off rate without compensation for all geological time. The presence of an extensive hydrogen corona around Titan is postulated, with surface temperatures up to 200 K.

Sagan, C.↗

Design guidelines for use of adhesives in hybrid microcircuits

Although it is generally accepted that the use of adhesives in the assembly of hybrid microcircuits offers advantages over other bonding methods, there currently does not exist a set of guidelines for the selection of adhesives which will insure that hybrid microcircuits assembled with them will meet the long use-life, high-reliability requirements of electronic equipment for space applications. This study was directed to the identification of the properties of electrically insulative adhesives that potentially could cause problems in such an application, and to the development of evaluation tests to quantify these properties and thus form the basis for establishing suitable guidelines and, ultimately, specifications. Bond strength, outgassing after cure, and corrosivity were selected for detailed attention since they are considered to be especially critical. Introductory discussion includes enumeration and brief comments on the properties of adhesives considered to be important for the proposed application, a general review of polymeric types of adhesives, and identification of the major types of adhesives commercially available and specifically designed for microelectronic use. The specific tests developed to evaluate bond strength, outgassing after cure, and corrosivity are discussed in detail, and comparative results obtained for selected adhesives representative of the major types are given.

Caruso, S. V.↗

Lunar sample analysis

Previous studies have shown that very small amounts of absorbed volatiles only removed by outgassing in high vacuum and elevated temperatures-drastically increase the internal friction in terrestrial analogs of lunar basalt. Recently room temperature Q values as high as 2000 were achieved by thorough outgassing procedures in 10 to the 8th power torr. Results are presented on Q measurements for lunar rock 70215.85, along with some data on the effect on Q of a variety of gases. Data show that substantially greater increases in Q are obtainable in a lunar rock sample than in the terrestrial analog samples studied, and that in addition to H2O other gases also can make non-negligible contributions to the internal friction.

Tittmann, B. R.↗

Determination of space vehicle contamination

The contamination and degradation of externally exposed sensitive experimental and functional surfaces of the Skylab by the self-induced atmosphere surrounding the vehicle are studied. It is shown that the major contamination sources of long-term deposits on Skylab are primarily outgassing from nonmetallic coatings and rocket engine exhaust products. Analysis showed that the characteristic decay time of the outgassing source rate may be as long as 4100 hr, and that essentially 20% of RCS deposits that stick at temperatures of 0 C will remain after sublimating at a rate whose characteristic decay time is 72 hr.

Rantanen, R. O.↗

Internal friction in rocks and its relationship to volatiles on the moon

The physical properties of lunar rocks were measured using the vibrating bar technique in order to provide data for interpretation of geophysical results such as those from seismic measurements. The effect of volatiles on the mechanical Q in lunar rocks was studied in addition to the effect of exposing a sample to controlled amounts of those gases most likely to be present in the lunar environment or likely to have been outgassed from the lunar interior. The moderate temperatures to which the sample was exposed during the thermal treatment and the small drop in resonant frequency during the course of the outgassing suggests that there was little change in microfracture density. The frequency, composition and texture dependence of the damping were investigated, to study the loss mechanism.

Tittmann, B. R.↗

Design guidelines for hybrid microcircuits; organic adhesives for hybrid microcircuits

The properties of organic adhesives were studied to acquire an adequate information base to generate a guideline document for the selection of adhesives for use in high reliability hybrid microcircuits. Specific areas covered include: (1) alternate methods for determining the outgassing of cured adhesives; (2) effects of long term aging at 150C on the electrical properties of conductive adhesives; (3) effects of shelf life age on adhesive characteristics; (4) bond strengths of electrically conductive adhesives on thick film gold metallization, (5) a copper filled adhesive; (6) effects of products outgassed from cured adhesives on device electrical parameters; (7) metal migration from electrically conductive adhesives; and (8) ionic content of electrically insulative adhesives. The tests performed during these investigations are described, and the results obtained are discussed in detail.

Perkins, K. L.↗

Molecular shield - An orbiting low-density materials laboratory

Analysis of a molecular shield orbited at 200 km utilizes the kinetic theory of a drifting Maxwellian gas, applied to a hemispherical shell geometry containing internal sources. The molecular shield provides very low gas density conditions for materials experiments at low gravity, while the hemispherical geometry minimizes the internal surface/volume ratio. Deployment of the shield in orbit is described. Contributions to density by shield outgassing, by experiment outgassing, and by interaction with the orbiter are discussed separately. A jettisonable closure plate sealing the hemisphere minimizes any risk of experiment contamination during deployment.

Melfi, L. T., Jr.↗

Volatile inventories on Mars

Predictions for the total inventory of outgassed volatiles on Mars can be developed by studying volatiles in meteorites, terrestrial rocks, and the atmospheres of Venus, the moon, and the earth. Two models are presented, following the basic assumption that the devolatilization of Mars has been analogous to that of the earth. The recent discovery of a high abundance of argon in the Martian atmosphere appears to indicate that Mars has outgassed as completely as the earth, but present uncertainties and lacunae in the essential data set permit several other interpretations.

Owen, T.↗

The making of the atmosphere

A model for the evolution of the earth's atmosphere is proposed in which the atmosphere and oceans are assumed to have accumulated as a result of volatile outgassing from the earth's interior. The bulk of the outgassed volatiles were originally trapped within the solid earth during the planetary accretion process, while other volatiles resulted from radiogenic decay within the solid earth. Atmospheric oxygen resulted from the photo-dissociation of water vapor during the earth's early history and from photosynthetic activity in more recent times. The origin and evolution of atmospheric ozone is closely related to the growth of oxygen. The rise of ozone and the evolution of life is discussed in terms of an evolving oxygen atmosphere.

Levine, J. S.↗