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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 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Performance of the Dragonfly Mass Spectrometer (DraMS) Programmable UV Laser Source Engineering Test Unit (ETU)

NASA’s Dragonfly mission will sample surface materials from multiple sites on Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, in exploration of its potential for prebiotic chemistry. We report on the performance of our short-pulsed UV laser transmitter, developed for the Dragonfly’s on-board Mass Spectrometer (DraMS). Our engineering test unit (ETU) has completed flight qualification and demonstrated its operational science requirements, such that the final flight unit build can begin. The Titan Hydrocarbon Analysis Nanosecond Optical Source (THANOS) ETU laser produces 266 nm laser pulses at programmable energy levels in order to create high resolution laser desorption mass spectrometry (LDMS) measurements. The laser operates in short bursts of 1-50 pulses, each at < 2 ns pulse width, at a 100 Hz repetition rate. Creating a sealed Titanium unit, capable of operation on the extreme environment of Titan’s surface was a major engineering challenge. The laser successfully demonstrated its ability to meet all operational requirements in terms of pulse energy, beam pointing on target and repeatability even after extensive environmental testing.

Matthew W Mullin↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Performance of the Dragonfly Mass Spectrometer (DraMS) Programmable UV Laser Source Engineering Test Unit (ETU)

NASA’s Dragonfly mission will sample surface materials from multiple sites on Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, in exploration of its potential for prebiotic chemistry. We report on the performance of our short-pulsed UV laser transmitter, developed for the Dragonfly’s on-board Mass Spectrometer (DraMS). Our engineering test unit (ETU) has completed flight qualification and demonstrated its operational science requirements, such that the final flight unit build can begin. The Titan Hydrocarbon Analysis Nanosecond Optical Source (THANOS) ETU laser produces 266 nm laser pulses at programmable energy levels in order to create high resolution laser desorption mass spectrometry (LDMS) measurements. The laser operates in short bursts of 1-50 pulses, each at < 2 ns pulse width, at a 100 Hz repetition rate. Creating a sealed Titanium unit, capable of operation on the extreme environment of Titan’s surface was a major engineering challenge. The laser successfully demonstrated its ability to meet all operational requirements in terms of pulse energy, beam pointing on target and repeatability even after extensive environmental testing.

Matthew Mullin↗
NASA NTRS2003

Development and Testing of Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for the Mars Rover Program: Elemental Analyses at Stand-Off Distances

One of the most fundamental pieces of information about any planetary body is the elemental composition of its surface materials. The Viking Martian landers employed XRF (x-ray fluorescence) and the MER rovers are carrying APXS (alpha-proton x-ray spectrometer) instruments upgraded from that used on the Pathfinder rover to supply elemental composition information for soils and rocks to which direct contact is possible. These in- situ analyses require that the lander or rover be in contact with the sample. In addition to in-situ instrumentation, the present generation of rovers carry instruments that operate at stand-off distances. The Mini-TES is an example of a stand-off instrument on the MER rovers. Other examples for future missions include infrared point spectrometers and microscopic-imagers that can operate at a distance. The main advantage of such types of analyses is obvious: the sensing element does not need to be in contact or even adjacent to the target sample. This opens up new sensing capabilities. For example, targets that cannot be reached by a rover due to impassable terrain or targets positioned on a cliff face can now be accessed using stand-off analysis. In addition, the duty cycle of stand-off analysis can be much greater than that provided by in-situ measurements because the stand-off analysis probe can be aimed rapidly at different features of interest eliminating the need for the rover to actually move to the target. Over the past five years we have been developing a stand-off method of elemental analysis based on atomic emission spectroscopy called laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). A laser-produced spark vaporizes and excites the target material, the elements of which emit at characteristic wavelengths. Using this method, material can be analyzed from within a radius of several tens of meters from the instrument platform. A relatively large area can therefore be sampled from a simple lander without requiring a rover or sampling arms. The placement of such an instrument on a rover would allow the sampling of locations distant from the landing site. Here we give a description of the LIBS method and its advantages. We discuss recent work on determining its characteristics for Mars exploration, including accuracy, detection limits, and suitability for determining the presence of water ice and hydrated minerals. We also give a description of prototype instruments we have tested in field settings.

D A Cremers↗
NASA NTRS2003

Mid-IR semiconductor lasers for chemical sensing

The development of mid-IR semiconductor diode lasers based on type-II interband cascade structures is presented. How these diode lasers can be developed to meet the requirements in chemical sensing applications is discussed.

interband cascade lasers chemical sensing mid-IR↗
DOE OSTI2024

High-efficiency narrow-bandwidth KTP optical parametric oscillator for kHz–MHz planar laser-induced fluorescence

The electronic excitation of key combustion species or flow tagging of chemical species requires a narrowband tunable UV source. In this work, a potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) burst-mode optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped by a 532 nm laser is developed to generate a spectrally narrow signal and an idler output with 1.48 ± 0.19 cm −1 bandwidth without the need for injection seeding. The idler (1410–1550 nm range) is further mixed with 355 or 266 nm to generate 284 or 226 nm for OH or NO planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), respectively, with up to 1.9% conversion efficiency from 1064 nm to the UV. MHz-rate burst profiles are reported, and OH and NO PLIF are demonstrated in a rotating detonation combustor at rates up to 200 kHz.

Webb, Austin M. (ORCID:0000000155897474)↗
NASA NTRS1971

Space qualified Nd:YAG laser (phase 1 - design)

Results of a design study and preliminary design of a space qualified Nd:YAG laser are presented. A theoretical model of the laser was developed to allow the evaluation of the effects of various parameters on its performance. Various pump lamps were evaluated and sum pumping was considered. Cooling requirements were examined and cooling methods such as radiation, cryogenic and conductive were analysed. Power outputs and efficiences of various configurations and the pump and laser lifetime are discussed. Also considered were modulation and modulating methods.

Foster, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Development and qualification testing of a laser-ignited, all-secondary (DDT) detonator

The Indian Head Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (IHDIV, NSWC) is conducting a qualification program for a laser-ignited, all-secondary (DDT) explosive detonator. This detonator was developed jointly by IHDIV, NSWC and the Department of Energy's EG&G Mound Applied Technologies facility in Miamisburg, Ohio to accept a laser initiation signal and produce a fully developed shock wave output. The detonator performance requirements were established by the on-going IHDIV, NSWC Laser Initiated Transfer Energy Subsystem (LITES) advanced development program. Qualification of the detonator as a component utilizing existing military specifications is the selected approach for this program. The detonator is a deflagration-to-detonator transfer (DDT) device using a secondary explosive, HMX, to generate the required shock wave output. The prototype development and initial system integration tests for the LITES and for the detonator were reported at the 1992 International Pyrotechnics Society Symposium and at the 1992 Survival and Flight Equipment National Symposium. Recent results are presented for the all-fire sensitivity and qualification tests conducted at two different laser initiation pulses.

Blachowski, Thomas J.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Advances in High Energy Solid-State Pulsed 2-Micron Lidar Development for Ground and Airborne Wind, Water Vapor and CO2 Measurements

NASA Langley Research Center has a long history of developing 2-micron lasers. From fundamental spectroscopy research, theoretical prediction of new materials, laser demonstration and engineering of lidar systems, it has been a very successful program spanning around two decades. Successful development of 2-micron lasers has led to development of a state-of-the-art compact lidar transceiver for a pulsed coherent Doppler lidar system for wind measurement with an unprecedented laser pulse energy of 250 millijoules in a rugged package. This high pulse energy is produced by a Ho:Tm:LuLiF laser with an optical amplifier. While the lidar is meant for use as an airborne instrument, ground-based tests were carried out to characterize performance of the lidar. Atmospheric measurements will be presented, showing the lidar's capability for wind measurement in the atmospheric boundary layer and free troposphere. Lidar wind measurements are compared to a balloon sonde, showing good agreement between the two sensors. Similar architecture has been used to develop a high energy, Ho:Tm:YLF double-pulsed 2-micron Integrated Differential Absorption Lidar (IPDA) instrument based on direct detection technique that provides atmospheric column CO2 measurements. This instrument has been successfully used to measure atmospheric CO2 column density initially from a ground mobile lidar trailer, and then it was integrated on B-200 plane and 20 hours of flight measurement were made from an altitude ranging 1500 meters to 8000 meters. These measurements were compared to in-situ measurements and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) airborne flask measurement to derive the dry mixing ratio of the column CO2 by reflecting the signal by various reflecting surfaces such as land, vegetation, ocean surface, snow and sand. The lidar measurements when compared showed a very agreement with in-situ and airborne flask measurement. NASA Langley Research Center is currently developing a triple-pulsed 2-micron Integrated Differential Absorption Lidar (IPDA) instrument for simultaneous measurement of water vapor and carbon-dioxide column density measurement from an air-borne platform. This presentation will give an overview of the 2 decades of 2-micron coherent and direction detection of laser/lidar development at NASA Langley Research Center and will present the ground and airborne wind and column CO2 measurement intercomparison with in-situ, balloon and flask measurements.

Singh, Upendra N.↗
DOE OSTI2025

The Langdon effect in laser plasmas: Absorption and conduction

A plasma heated by inverse bremsstrahlung absorption of laser light develops a non-Maxwellian electron distribution function, called the Langdon effect [A. B. Langdon, Phys. Rev. Lett. 44, 575 (1980)]. These non-Maxwellian distributions are sufficiently long-lived to impact the absorption processes itself as well as the transport of heat by electrons. The theory of the Langdon effect in a homogeneous plasma is reviewed to clarify some aspects of Langdon's derivation as well as to confirm that the widely used super-Gaussian approximation works fairly well to describe the shape of the distribution function and reduction of the absorption rate. The Langdon effect on thermal conduction in an inhomogeneous plasma is developed by considering perturbations in a homogeneous absorbing plasma, which develops a heat flux due to both temperature and density gradients. A practical theory of the heat flux is developed by fitting the results of Vlasov–Fokker–Planck simulations, which avoids several approximations that compromised the usefulness of past theoretical predictions, most critically, the effect of electron–electron collisions on the fluxes. The present fits parameterize the coefficients of the temperature gradient (thermal conductivity) and the density gradient for a plasma of any ionization state and for any laser intensity where the theory of the Langdon effect remains locally valid. It is expected that this generalized theory of heat flow in an absorbing plasma will improve the predictive capability of radiation-hydrodynamics simulations of laser-produced plasmas, especially those formed in inertial confinement fusion experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2008

Miniature Mass Spectrometers on Space and Planetary Missions

Space flight mass spectrometers contribute our understanding of the origin and evolution of our solar system and even of life itself. This fundamental role has motivated increasing interest in miniature mass spectrometry for planetary missions. Several remarkable new instruments are en route or under development to investigate the composition of planetary bodies such as Mars and comets. For instance, the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) suite on the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission includes a quadrupole mass spectrometer with a sophisticated gas processing system as well as pyrolysis and chemical derivatization protocols for solid samples. Future missions will require even lighter, lower power, and yet more capable mass spectrometers, particularly to analyze samples in situ on planetary surfaces. We have been developing laser-based mass spectrometers for elemental and organic/molecular analysis of rock, ice, or fine particle samples. These typically use time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzers, which are readily miniaturized and can detect both atomic species and complex organics that occur in a variety of planetary materials. For example, nonvolatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and kerogen-like macromolecular carbon are found in some carbonaceous meteorites, which derived from asteroid parent bodies. A single focused laser pulse is able to volatilize and ionize some of these compounds for direct TOF analysis. While this is possible without any sample preparation or contact, sensitivity and quantitative performance can improve significantly with some sample handling. As such we have also been examining robotic mechanisms and protocols to accompany space flight mass spectrometers. In addition, sensors in early development may significantly improve these capabilities, via use of techniques such as switchable polarity, ambient pressure, or resonant ionization; tandem mass spectrometry (TOF or ion trap); and chemical imaging.

Brinckerhoff, William↗
NASA NTRS2003

Reconfigurable Computing As an Enabling Technology for Single-Photon-Counting Laser Altimetry

Single-photon-counting laser altimetry is a new measurement technique offering significant advantages in vertical resolution, reducing instrument size, mass, and power, and reducing laser complexity as compared to analog or threshold detection laser altimetry techniques. However, these improvements come at the cost of a dramatically increased requirement for onboard real-time data processing. Reconfigurable computing has been shown to offer considerable performance advantages in performing this processing. These advantages have been demonstrated on the Multi-KiloHertz Micro-Laser Altimeter (MMLA), an aircraft based single-photon-counting laser altimeter developed by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center with several potential spaceflight applications. This paper describes how reconfigurable computing technology was employed to perform MMLA data processing in real-time under realistic operating constraints, along with the results observed. This paper also expands on these prior results to identify concepts for using reconfigurable computing to enable spaceflight single-photon-counting laser altimeter instruments.

Powell, Wesley↗
DOE OSTI2023

Developing Methodology to Determine Pu Isotopic Composition by Laser Ablation MC-ICP-MS

This project will develop methodology to analyze the Pu isotope ratio in mixed U-Pu particles by laser ablation MC-ICP-MS. This will involve: 1) testing and validation of the Pu analytical method using mixed U-Pu solutions and Pu doped glasses, 2) isotopic analysis of mixed U-Pu particles by laser ablation MC-ICP-MS, and 3) continued development of the R-based data reduction program. Details regarding the analytical method development and results of QC testing will be output as a deliverable to the IAEA, along with an updated version of the LARA data reduction software.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Ultrashort Laser Pulse Shaping and Characterization for Tailored Electron Bunch Generation

Temporally shaped laser pulses are desirable in various applications including emittance reduction and beam-driven acceleration. Pulse shaping techniques enable flexible controls over the longitudinal distribution of electron bunches emitted from the photocathode. While direct manipulation and measurement of an ultrashort pulse can be challenging in the time domain, both actions can be performed in the frequency domain. In this paper, we report the study and development of laser shaper and diagnostics at Argonne Wakefield Accelerator (AWA). Simulations of the shaping process for several sought-after shapes are presented along with the temporal diagnosis. Status of the experiment at the AWA facility is also discussed.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Stochastic modeling of x-ray superfluorescence

An approach to modeling the dynamics of x-ray amplified spontaneous emission and superfluorescence, the phenomenon of collective x-ray emission initiated by intense pulses of x-ray free-electron lasers, is developed based on stochastic partial differential equations. The equations are derived from first principles, and the relevant approximations, derivation steps, and extensions specific to stimulated x-ray emission are presented. The resulting equations take the form of three-dimensional generalized Maxwell-Bloch equations augmented with noise terms for both field and atomic variables. The derived noise terms possess specific correlation properties that enable the correct reconstruction of spontaneous emission. Consequently, the developed theoretical formalism is universally suitable for describing all stages of stimulated x-ray emission: spontaneous emission, amplified spontaneous emission, and superfluorescence. Here, we present numerical examples that illustrate various properties of the emitted field, including spatiotemporal coherence and spectral-angular and polarization characteristics. We anticipate that the proposed theoretical framework will establish a robust foundation for interpreting measurements in stimulated x-ray emission spectroscopy, modeling x-ray laser oscillators, and describing other experiments leveraging x-ray superfluorescence.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1988

Flow Measurement

Macrodyne, Inc.'s laser velocimeter (LV) is a system used in wind tunnel testing of aircraft, missiles and spacecraft employing electro optical techniques to probe the flow field as the tunnel blows air over a model of flight vehicle and to determine velocity of air and its direction at many points around the model. However, current state-of-the-art minicomputers cannot handle the massive flow of real time data from several sources simultaneously. Langley developed instrument Laser Velocimeter Autocovariance Buffer Interface (LVABI). LVABI is interconnecting instrument between LV and computer. It acquires data from as many as six LV channels at high real time data rates, stores it in memory and sends it to computer on command. LVABI has application in variety of research, industrial and defense functions requiring precise flow measurement.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1989

Design of catalytic monoliths for closed-cycle carbon dioxide lasers

Pulsed carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers have many applications in aeronautics, space research, weather monitoring and other areas. Full exploitation of the potential of these lasers in hampered by the dissociation of CO2 that occurs during laser operation. The development of closed-cycle CO2 lasers requires active CO-O2 recombination (CO oxidation) catalyst and design methods for implementation of catalysts in CO2 laser systems. A monolith catalyst section model and associated design computer program, LASCAT, are presented to assist in the design of a monolith catalyst section of a closed cycle CO2 laser system. Using LASCAT,the designer is able to specify a number of system parameters and determine the monolith section performance. Trade-offs between the catalyst activity, catalyst dimensions, monolith dimensions, pressure drop, O2 conversion, and other variables can be explored and adjusted to meet system design specifications. An introduction describes a typical closed-cycle CO2 system, and indicates some advantages of a closed cycle laser system over an open cycle system and some advantages of monolith support over other types of supports. The development and use of a monolith catalyst model is presented. The results of a design study and a discussion of general design rules are given.

Herz, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Laser-Ranging Transponders for Science Investigations of the Moon and Mars

An active laser was developed ranging in real-time with two terminals, emulating interplanetary distances, and with submillimeter accuracy. In order to overcome the limitations to ranging accuracy from jitters and delay drifts within the transponders, architecture was proposed based on asynchronous paired one-way ranging with local references. A portion of the transmitted light is directed, via a reference path, to the local detector. This allows for compensation of any jitter in the timing of the emitted laser pulse. The same detector is used to measure the time of the received pulses emitted from the remote terminal. This approach removes any change in the delay caused by the detector or its electronics. Two separate terminals using commercial off-the-shelf hardware were built to emulate active laser ranging over interplanetary distances. The communication link for the command to start recording pulse arrival times and data transfer from one terminal to the other was achieved using a standard wireless link, emulating free space laser communication. The deviation is well below the goal of 1-mm precision. This leaves enough margin to achieve 1-mm precision when including the fluctuations due to atmospheric turbulence while ranging to Mars through the Earth s atmosphere. The two terminals are mounted on translation stages, which can be moved freely on rails to yield a wide range of distances with fine adjustment. The two terminals were separated by approximately 16 meters.

Hemmati, Hamid↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Ultrashort Pulsed Laser Treatment: A Novel Sterilization Method for Planetary Protection

Introduction: On missions seeking signs of potential life elsewhere in the solar system, we have an obligation not to bring our own Earthly life with us. Reducing the bioburden (number of living microbes) on spacecraft is therefore required by the COSPAR Policy on Planetary Protection to target bodies that are of interest for understanding the origins of life (such as Mars). The method of spacecraft sterilization predominantly used by NASA is Heat Microbial Reduction, which is typically incompatible with heat-sensitive components such as optics and electronics, and is expensive and time-consuming. Here, we present preliminary results on a novel method for spacecraft hardware sterilization: high-intensity ultrashort (femtosecond) pulsed laser illumination. Femtosecond lasers use extremely high photon fluxes (10^29 photons/sec*cm^2, ~0.03 J/cm^2) in extremely short pulses, which can inactivate even stress-tolerant microbial spores with minimal damage to the spacecraft surface. This rapid sterilization technique could be carried out in situ in a spacecraft assembly clean room using high-speed surface scanning, saving critical time and resources. It also can potentially remove or reduce debris from inactivated cells and spores. Methods: To develop optimal laser processing parameters for inactivating planetary protection-relevant organisms on metal surfaces, we inoculated 1-cm^2 mirror-polished aluminum coupons with Bacillus subtilis spores (2x10^5 spores/coupon) and tested the effect of several parameters, including pulse count and fluence. Sterilization effectiveness was measured by recovering spores using a PVA (polyvinyl acetate) peel and conducting serial dilution and plating for colony-forming units (CFUs). Results: Our results show that pulse count and fluence both affect sterilization effectiveness and that within a certain pulse count range, increasing fluence increases effectiveness. We have demonstrated the ability to reduce viable microbial counts by at least 10^-4. Future work will include testing higher abundances and different species of microorganisms, effectiveness on complex surfaces, compatibility with sensitive surfaces, and quantification of cell debris removal. Femtosecond pulsed laser illumination has the potential to provide dramatic savings in both cost and schedule over current methods of bioburden reduction to prevent forward contamination. It may also have the potential for use in surface sterilization of returned samples to prevent back contamination.

Planetary Protection; Lasers; Sterilization; Bacil↗