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Results for “METAL VAPOR”

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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

Metal vapor vacuum arc switching - Applications and results

The design of metal-vapor vacuum-arc switches (MVSs) for electromagnetic launchers is discussed, and preliminary results are presented for an experimental MVS. The general principles of triggered-vacuum-gap and vacuum-interrupter MVSs are reviewed, and the requirements of electromagnetic launchers are analyzed. High-current design problems such as electrode erosion, current sharing, magnetic effects, and thermal effects are examined. The experimental MVS employs stainless-steel flanges, a glass vacuum vessel, an adjustable electrode gap, autonomous internal magnetic-field coils, and a tungsten-pin trigger assembly. Some results from tests without magnetic augmentation are presented graphically.

Cope, D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A nuclear driven metallic vapor MHD coupled with MPD thrusters

Nuclear energy as a source of power for space missions, represents an enabling technology for advanced and ambitious space applications. Nuclear fuel in a gaseous or liquid form has been configured as a promising and practical candidate in this regard. The present study investigates and performs a feasibility analysis of an innovative concept for space power generation and propulsion. The system embodies a conceptual nuclear reactor with an MHD generator and coupled to MPD thrusters. The reactor utilizes liquid uranium in droplet form as fuel and superheated metallic vapor as the working fluid. This ultrahigh temperature vapor core reactor brings forward varied and challenging technical issues, and it has been addressed to in this paper. A parametric study of the conceived system has been performed in a qualitative and quantitative manner. Preliminary results show enough promise for further indepth analysis of this novel system.

Anghaie, Samim↗
NASA NTRS1993

(abstract) Experimental and Modeling Studies of the Exchange Current at the Alkali Beta'-Alumina/Porous Electrode/Alkali Metal Vapor Three Phase Boundary

The microscopic mechanism of the alkali ion-electron recombination reaction at the three phase boundary zone formed by a porous metal electrode in the alkali vapor on the surface of an alkali beta'-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE) ceramic has been studied by comparison of the expected rates for the three simplest reaction mechanisms with known temperature dependent rate data; and the physical parameters of typical porous metal electrode/BASE/alkali metal vapor reaction zones. The three simplest reactions are tunneling of electrons from the alkali coated electrode to a surface bound alkali metal ion; emission of an electron from the electrode with subsequent capture by a surface bound alkali metal ion; and thermal emission of an alkali cation from the BASE and its capture on the porous metal electrode surface where it may recombine with an electron. Only the first reaction adequately accounts for both the high observed rate and its temperature dependence. New results include crude modeling of simple, one step, three phase, solid/solid/gas electrochemical reaction.

conversion↗
NASA NTRS1975

A search for chemical laser action in low pressure metal vapor flames

Optical emissions were studied from low pressure (approximately 1 torr) dilute diffusion flames of Ca and Mg vapor with O2, N2O and mixtures of CCl4 and O2. The Ca flames with O2 and N2O revealed high vibrational excitation of the product CaO molecule (up to v=30). The flames with CCl4 revealed extreme nonequilibrium metal atom electronic excitation, up to the metal atom ionization limit (6.1 eV for Ca, 7.6 eV for Mg). The metal atom excited electronic state populations did not follow a Boltzmann distribution, but the excitation rates ('pumping rate') were found to obey an Arrhenius-type expression, with the electronic excitation energy playing the role of activation energy and a temperature of about 5000 K for triplet excited states and 2500 K for singlets (vs. approximately 500 K translational temperature).

Zwillenberg, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Infrared up-conversion with resonantly two-photon pumped metal vapors

Observation of efficient up-conversion of low-level IR radiation near 10 microns to the near ultraviolet. Radiation at 9.26 micron is converted to 3305 A with a photon conversion efficiency of 58% and a corresponding power gain of 16.2. The process employs resonant two-photon pumping of the nonallowed 3s-3d transition in Na.

Bloom, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Third harmonic generation in phase-matched alkali metal vapors

We report improvements in conversion efficiency for third harmonic generation in sodium and rubidium vapor. 30-psec pulses of radiation at 1.064 micron have been converted to 0.3547 micron with an energy conversion efficiency of 10%. Factors limiting conversion efficiency are discussed.

Bloom, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Mixed metal vapor phase matching for third-harmonic generation

Phase matching for frequency tripling of 1.06 microns is demonstrated in a homogeneous mixture of sodium and magnesium vapor. The ratio of Mg to Na vapor pressures required for phase matching is 2:1. This ratio is about 1/75 of that required to phase match Na with Xe.

Bloom, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Isotope separation using metallic vapor lasers

The isotope U235 is separated from a gasified isotope mixture of U235 and U238 by selectively exciting the former from the ground state utilizing resonant absorption of radiation from precisely tuned lasers. The excited isotope is then selectively ionized by electron bombardment. It then is separated from the remaining isotope mixture by electromagnetic separation.

Russell, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Nonlinear infrared generation in alkali metal vapors: Steady state susceptibilities and dynamic behavior. Effective relaxation rates and preliminary Raman gain predictions for the Cs system

Effective relaxation rates for atomic cesium pumped by doubled Alexandrite radiation are presented. Laser radiation levels are 8S 1/2 and 9S 1/2; resonance levels 3 = 8P 1/2 and 8P 1/2, respectively. In addition, Raman gain is represented in two graphs which plot chi per atom (10 to the -13 power) at Raman peak versus the infrared wave number per centimeter and the corresponding doubled Alexandrite wave number. One graph covers resonance level 8P, the other 9P; in both cases cesium is pumped with a peak pulse height of 0.5 MW in a 200 micron diameter spot size.

Lawandy, N. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Solar-powered alkali metal vapor lasers

The emission spectrum of the A(1 Sigma u +) - X(1 Sigma g +) band of Na2 has been recorded following excitation by monochromatic radiation in the region of X-A and X-B absorption. The spectral profile has been investigated as a function of excitation wavelength, sodium vapor temperature and buffer gas pressure. Additionally, gain measurements were made for the satellite of the A-X band as a function of the sodium vapor temperature and buffer gas pressure.

Blount, Charles E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Method and apparatus for convection control of metallic halide vapor density in a metallic halide laser

An apparatus is disclosed in which a reservoir containing copper chloride is heated so that the copper chloride is maintained in a liquid form. The apparatus includes a means for flowing a buffer gas (which in the exemplary embodiment is neon) over the liquid copper chloride to provide a mixture of copper chloride vapor and neon above the liquid copper chloride. A conduit provides fluid communication between the reservoir containing the copper chloride vapor/neon mixture and the laser. The copper chloride vapor density in the laser is related to the liquid copper chloride temperature and the neon flow rate through the reservoir. In accordance with a further feature of the exemplary embodiment, neon is also provided directly to the laser in order to provide a further means of controlling the copper chloride vapor density in the laser.

Pivirotto, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Interpulse kinetics in copper and copper halide lasers

The various rate processes that govern the interpulse relaxation in metal vapor and metal halide vapor lasers are considered. Computer calculations indicate that the rapid metastable levels relaxation observed in copper and copper halide laser experiments requires the existence of a relatively small resonance in the cross section for metastable excitation or deexcitation near threshold. The accurate calculation of interpulse relaxation requires knowledge of rate constants presently not well known; this is especially so for metal halide lasers.

Harstad, K. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Controlling Metal-Halide Vapor Density in Lasers

Streams of buffer gas convect and dilute metal-halide vapor. Technique uses flow of buffer gas through reservoir, which contains heated metal halide, to convect vapors into discharge tube. Second stream of buffer gas dilutes vapor. Final vapor density in laser tube controlled and changed by adjusting either one or both of buffer gas flow rates.

Pivirotto, T. J.↗