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At least 37 records · Page 2

Pioneer 10 search for gravitational waves - No evidence for coherent radiation from Geminga

Attempts to identify a periodic gravitational wave signal from the binary Geminga in the reduced Doppler data from the Pioneer 10 spacecraft are reported. The study was performed to examine the possibility that the observed 160 min solar oscillation is driven by a gravitational wave from the binary, which has a period exactly one cycle different from the solar oscillation. Three 12 hr passes of Doppler data from Pioneer 10, now beyond the orbit of Neptune, were subjected to FFT analysis to detect a spectral gravitational wave signature. None was found. Least squares analysis of all low noise data from 1981 to characterize the amplitude and phase of a signal from Geminga also produced a null result. Finally, an upper bound was calculated for the polarization component of the potentially observable gravitational strain.

Anderson, J. D.↗

The coherent Cerenkov radiated power from a group of field-aligned test particles in a magnetoplasma

An expression is derived that describes the coherent Cerenkov radiated power from a group of test particles in a plasma medium moving parallel to a magnetic field. In this analysis, each particle has an arbitrary position and velocity along a field line and, as a consequence, both the spatial and temporal coherence of the radiation are considered. As an example, it is demonstrated that a monoenergetic electron beam consisting of small pulses can generate wave powers well above incoherent levels if the pulse spacing is comparable to an integer number of emission wavelengths. It is also shown that, if the beam particles have a velocity spread, Delta-V, the wave powers will decrease in time due to the reduced temporal coherence of the particle radiators, where this coherence scales as 1/Delta-V. This latter effect applies to any charged particle beam propagating in a magnetoplasma, because even an initially monoenergetic beam becomes thermalized by electrostatic wave-particle interactions reducing the radiated power.

Farrell, W. M.↗

Laser power transmission.

Description of studies which have led to the design of a conceptual device in which the limitation of transforming heat into coherent radiation can be examined. By exploring the basic thermodynamic relationships controlling the operation of this device, it is concluded that a closed-cycle gasdynamic laser is possible in which all of the shaft energy supplied can be turned into laser radiation. Hence, it is possible in principle to convert heat into coherent radiation with approximately the same efficiency with which heat may be converted into electricity. By modifying the closed-cycle-gasdynamic-laser system, this system can be operated in reverse and the incoming radiation may be used to pump the gas in the loop so that shaft power can be extracted. By carefully controlling the temperature distribution in this machine, laser energy can be converted into useful shaft energy with an efficiency approaching 1 .

Ahlstrom, H. G.↗

Satellite interferometric measurements of auroral kilometric radiation

The first satellite interferometric measurements of auroral kilometric radiation were performed by cross-correlating the waveforms detected by the ISEE 1 and ISEE 2 spacecraft. High correlations were found for all projected baselines, with little or no tendency to decrease even for the longest baselines. For incoherent radiation, the correlation as a function of the baseline is the Fourier transform of the source brightness distribution, implying an average source region diameter for all of the bursts analyzed of less than about 10 km. For such small source diameters, the required growth rates are too large to be explained by existing incoherent theories, strongly indicating that the radiation must be coherent. For coherent radiation, an upper limit to the source region diameter can be inferred instead from the angular width of the radiation pattern. The angular width of the radiation pattern must be at least 2.5 deg, implying that the diameter of the source must be less than about 20 km.

Baumback, M. M.↗

Recent Developments in the Analysis of Couple Oscillator Arrays

This presentation considers linear arrays of coupled oscillators. Our purpose in coupling oscillators together is to achieve high radiated power through the spatial power combining which results when the oscillators are injection locked to each other. York, et. al. have shown that, left to themselves, the ensemble of injection locked oscillators oscillate at the average of the tuning frequencies of all the oscillators. Coupling these arrays achieves high radiated power through coherent spatial power combining. The coupled oscillators are usually designed to produce constant aperture phase. Oscillators are injection locked to each other or to a master oscillator to produce coherent radiation. Oscillators do not necessarily oscillate at their tuning frequency.

Pogorzelski, Ronald J.↗

Coherent Cerenkov radiation from the Spacelab 2 electron beam

The plasma environment of the Spacelab 2 mission was investigated through the deployment of the Plasma Diagnostics Package (PDP) by the Space Shuttle Orbiter and the Orbiter's ejection of a continuous 1-keV/50-mA electron beam along a field line. As the PDP flew by the beam, its plasma-wave instrument detected intense whistler-mode radiation originating from the beam. A detailed model has been developed of the coherent Cerenkov emission process, using a one-dimensional computer simulation of the beam to model the expected phase space structure of the electrons. The power calculated for the modeled 200-m beam segment can easily account for the measured whistler mode wave power.

Farrell, W. M.↗

Gravitational lens of the sun - Its potential for observations and communications over interstellar distances

The gravitational field of the sun acts as a spherical lens to magnify the intensity of radiation from a distant source along a semi-infinite focal line. A spacecraft anywhere on that line in principle could observe, eavesdrop, and communicate over interstellar distances, using equipment comparable in size and power with what is now used for interplanetary distances. If one neglects coronal effects, the maximum magnification factor for coherent radiation is inversely proportional to the wavelength, being 100 million at 1 millimeter. The principal difficulties are that the nearest point on the focal half-line is about 550 times the sun-earth distance, separate spacecraft would be needed to work with each stellar system of interest, and the solar corona would severely limit the intensity of coherent radiation while also restricting operations to relatively short wavelengths.

Eshleman, V. R.↗

Solar-pumped laser Final report

Solar pumped modulated laser to generate coherent radiation at optical wavelengths for long range, real time television data transmission

DATA TRANSMISSION↗

Monolithic Isolated Single-Mode Ring Laser

MISER uses four-sided ring to lase nonreciprocally. Laser concept provides very-compact, efficient, and stable source of coherent radiation. Lasers of single, very-stable frequency desirable for number of purposes. Frequency stability makes possible coherent detection of laser radiation with low-bandwidth detector, useful for communications. Allows very-high-resolution spectroscopy. Any application where desired to use laser in way microwaves used traditionally enhanced if frequency very stable.

Kane, T. J.↗

Optical radiation from the Crab pulsar

Possible mechanisms for producing the optical radiation from the Crab pulsar are proposed and discussed. There are severe difficulties in interpreting the radiation as being produced by an incoherent process, whether it be synchrotron radiation, inverse-Compton radiation, or curvature radiation. It is proposed, therefore, that radiation in the optical part of the spectrum is coherent. In the polar cap model, a small bunch of electrons and positrons forms near each primary electron as a result of the pair-production cascade process. Turbulent electric field components associated with large-scale bunching may lead to separation of the electrons and positrons in space and in energy, with the result that coherent radiation may be produced by the electrons, the positrons, or both. Calculations, which involve a number of simplifying assumptions, indicate that the optical radiation from the Crab pulsar can be understood in this way if the mass of the star is approximately 0.3 solar mass. Various consequences of this model, which may be subjected to observational test, are discussed.

Sturrock, P. A.↗

Generation of ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet radiation

The paper describes the use of nonlinear optical techniques for the generation of coherent radiation at ultraviolet, vacuum ultraviolet, and soft X-ray wavelengths. Mixtures of metal vapors and inert gases, and other mixed gas systems, allow generation to regions of the spectrum where nonlinear optical crystals are opaque; and also allow generations at high incident power and energy densities. Progress is reported on programs aimed at efficient conversion from 1.064 microns to 3547 A, and from 3547 A to 1182 A. To date, the shortest wavelength generated by this technique is 887 A. Theoretical considerations indicate that generation into the soft X-ray region should be possible. Using 1182 A radiation, a holographic grating with a fringe spacing of 836 A has been constructed and examined on an electron microscope.

Harris, S. E.↗

The anisotropic radiative transfer problem in optically thick, strongly magnetized plasma - A comparison of results

The accuracy of four different methods for solving the coherent radiative transfer problem in a strongly magnetized plasma is compared. Specific attention is given to the case of a semi-infinite homogeneous plasma with a magnetic field perpendicular to the surface. The four approaches evaluated were: diffusion approximation schemes; the generalized H-function method of Silant'ev (1982) the Feautrier method of Nagel (1981) and the integral equation approach of Meszares and Bonazzola (1981). It is found that the coupled diffusion approximation schemes of Nagel (1981) and Kaminker et al. (1982) provided satisfactory results and were more efficient in many cases than direct numerical methods.

Pavlov, G. G.↗

Electron beam pumped semiconductor laser

Electron-beam-pumped semiconductor ultra-violet optical sources (ESUVOSs) are disclosed that use ballistic electron pumped wide bandgap semiconductor materials. The sources may produce incoherent radiation and take the form of electron-beam-pumped light emitting triodes (ELETs). The sources may produce coherent radiation and take the form of electron-beam-pumped laser triodes (ELTs). The ELTs may take the form of electron-beam-pumped vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (EVCSEL) or edge emitting electron-beam-pumped lasers (EEELs). The semiconductor medium may take the form of an aluminum gallium nitride alloy that has a mole fraction of aluminum selected to give a desired emission wavelength, diamond, or diamond-like carbon (DLC). The sources may be produced from discrete components that are assembled after their individual formation or they may be produced using batch MEMS-type or semiconductor-type processing techniques to build them up in a whole or partial monolithic manner, or combination thereof.

Hug, William F.↗

Quasi-isentropic laser engines

This study examines laser engine processes in which coherent radiation is converted, at least in principle, completely into mechanical work (i.e., without the need for heat rejection). This type of engine process utilizes all coherence properties with minimum degradation, i.e., with minimum increase of entropy. The conversion is based on a heat pump operated by gaseous resonance absorption, followed by a heat engine.

Garbuny, M.↗

Flare stars at radio wavelengths

The radio emission from dMe flare stars is discussed using Very Large Array and Arecibo observations as examples. Active flare stars emit weak, unpolarized, quiescent radio radiation that may be always present. Although thermal bremsstrahlung and/or thermal gyroresonance radiation account for the slowly-varying, quiescent radio radiation of solar active regions, these processes cannot account for the long-wavelength quiescent radiation observed from nearby dMe flare stars. It has been attributed to nonthermal gyrosynchrotron radiation, but some as yet unexplained mechanism must be continually producing the energetic electrons. Long duration, narrow-band radiation is also emitted from some nearby dMe stars at 20 cm wavelength. Such radiation may be attributed to coherent plasma radiation or to coherent electron-cyclotron masers. Impulsive stellar flares exhibit rapid variations that require radio sources that are smaller than the star in size, and high brightness temperatures greater than 10(exp 15) K that are also explained by coherent radiation processes. Quasi-periodic temporal fluctuations suggest pulsations during some radio flares. Evidence for frequency structure and positive or negative frequency drifts during radio flares from dMe stars is also presented.

Lang, Kenneth R.↗

Flare stars at radio wavelengths

The radio emission from dMe flare stars is discussed using Very Large Array and Arecibo observations as examples. Active flare stars emit weak, unpolarized, quiescent radio radiation that may be always present. Although thermal bremsstrahlung and/or thermal gyroresonance radiation account for the slowly-varying, quiescent radio radiation of solar active regions, these processes cannot account for the long-wavelength quiescent radiation observed from nearby dMe flare stars. It has been attributed to nonthermal gyrosynchrotron radiation, but some as yet unexplained mechanism must be continually producing the energetic electrons. Long duration, narrow-band radiation is also emitted from some nearby dMe stars at 20 cm wavelength. Such radiation may be attributed to coherent plasma radiation or to coherent electron-cyclotron masers. Impulsive stellar flares exhibit rapid variations that require radio sources that are smaller than the star in size, and high brightness temperatures greater than 10(exp 15) K that are also explained by coherent radiation processes. Quasi-periodic temporal fluctuations suggest pulsations during some radio flares. Evidence for frequency structure and positive or negative frequency drifts during radio flares from dMe stars is also presented.

Lang, Kenneth R.↗