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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 433 records · Page 24

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NASA NTRS1985

Rocket observations of energetic particles at the geomagnetic equator

Energetic particle detectors were included in the payloads of two rockets launched in Peru during the Condor campaign of 1983. These night-time flights reached altitudes of 587 and 535 km, respectively. The pitch-angle distribution is anisotropic with the maximum at 90 deg. Each payload included two solid-state detectors differing in the thickness of the aluminum coating. Comparison of the fluxes measured by the two detectors leads to the conclusion that, on both occasions, the energetic particles are predominantly helium ions. The flux is small below 200 km, increases linearly to 350 km, and then more slowly to apogee. The east-west asymmetry of flux, noted at 200 km in a previous equatorial launch, is not seen at greater altitudes, consistent with the flux profile and the large gyroradius of the ions.

Smith, L. G.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Visible and shortwave infrared focal planes for remote sensing instruments

The development of solid-state sensor technology for multispectral linear array (MLA) instruments is described. A buttable four-spectral-band linear-format CCD and a buttable two-spectral band linear-format short-wave IR CCD have been designed, and first samples have been demonstrated. In addition, first-sample four-band interference filters have been fabricated, and hybrid packaging technology is being developed. Based on this development work, the design and construction of focal planes for a Shuttle sortie MLA instrument have begun. This work involves a visible and near-IR focal plane with 2048 pixels x 4 spectral bands and a short-wave IR focal plane with 1024 pixels x 2 spectral bands.

Tower, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Charge-coupled device camera for the Galileo Jupiter Orbiter spacecraft

A slow-scan television camera called the solid-state imaging subsystem (SSI), built for the Galileo Jupiter Orbiter, is described. The SSI consists of a 1500-mm focal-length telescope coupled to a camera head housing a 800 x 800-element charge-coupled device (CCD) detector based on 'virtual-phase' charge transfer technology. The CCD detector provides broadband sensitivity over 100 times that of a comparable vidicon-tube camera, while also yielding improved resolution, linearity, geometric fidelity, and spectral range. The system noise floor is 30 electrons, which results in a dynamic range of about 3500. Saturation of the detector with 9000-A light, followed by a high-speed erasure cycle prior to exposing each image, stabilizes the detector quantum efficiency at its maximum level for wavelengths beyond 7000 A. An optical schematic diagram of the SSI is included.

Klaasen, K. P.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Evaluation of an electronic scanner of pressure (ESOP) module

An electronic scanner of pressure (ESOP) module, developed by NASA Ames Research Center, was installed in a wind tunnel and evaluated over a 5-month testing period. The solid-state ESOP module has 48 miniature pressure transducers and a heater circuit to maintain a constant module temperature. During the wind tunnel test, the module was subjected to an environmental temperature range from 60 F to 104 F, and to considerable module vibration. Zero drift was within + or - 0.5 percent of full-scale output for 37 of the transducers, and was greater than 5.0 percent for four transducers. Pressure measurements from 12 transducers were compared with Scanivalve modules. The agreement of these measurements was considered to be good.

Smeltzer, D. B.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Nd:YAG and ruby based lidar systems for remote sensing of atmospheric aerosols

The application of solid-state lasers to the study of stratospheric and tropospheric aerosols is analyzed. A 48-inch mobile lidar which operates in the 0.6943, 1.06, 0.3472, and 0.5300 micron ranges is utilized to monitor the stratosphere. The detectors of the system consist of photomultipliers, and the dual-channel, computer-based data-acquisition-system which provides on-line plotting of scattering ratio profiles. The components of the 14-inch aperture, dual-wavelength airborne lidar system that operates with ruby and Nd:YAG transmitters are described. An 8-inch, down-looking airborne lidar with silicon diode or photomultiplier detectors was developed. The capabilities of the system alone and when combined with the 14-inch lidar are discussed. Examples of the data provided by the three lidar systems are presented, revealing the reliability and operational efficiency of the systems.

Fuller, W. H., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A solid state tunable laser for resonance measurements of atmospheric sodium

The measurement of wave dynamics in the upper mesosphere using a solid-state laser to excite the resonance fluorescence line of sodium is examined. Two Nd:YAG lasers are employed to produce the sodium resonance line. The method involves mixing the 1064 nm radiation with that from a second Nd:YAG operating at 1319 nm in a nonlinear infrared crystal to directly produce 589 nm radiation by sum frequency generation. The use of the transmitter to measure the sodium layer from the Space Shuttle Platform is proposed. A diagram of the laser transmitter is presented.

Philbrick, C. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Efficient frequency conversion of laser sources in nonlinear crystals

The use of nonlinear crystals to extend the frequency range of solid-state laser sources is proposed. The harmonic generation of high-average-power laser sources and CW-laser-sources nonlinear crystals is considered. The development of Nd:YAG pumped parametric oscillators and optical parametric amplifiers using LiNbO3 or AgGaS2 is studied. The LiNbO3 oscillator has tunable output over the 1.4-4.0 micron range and is applicable for remote sensing measurements of molecules and of humidity and temperature; AgGaS2 oscillators provide the potential for 3-15 micron infrared generation. Advances in material synthesis techniques related to the design and synthesis of nonlinear media are discussed. Various procedures for the synthesis of nonlinear crystals are described.

Byer, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Studies of the composition of solar particles and of energetic oxygen and sulfur nuclei trapped in the Jovian magnetosphere

The Cosmic Ray System (CRS) experiment on board each of the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft consists of four Low Energy Telescopes (LETs), two High Energy Telescopes (HETs), the Electron Telescope (TET), and associated electronics. With these instruments it is possible to measure the energy spectrum of electrons over the 3-110MeV energy range and the energy spectra and nuclear charge of atomic nuclei from hydrogen through zinc over the 3-500 MeV/nuc energy range. The exclusive use of solid-state detectors in the CRS telescopes achieves the objectives of reliability over a long mission life, high resolution determinations of energy and charge, and high-count-rate capability during large solar flares and passage through the magnetospheres of the outer planets. Summarized here are some of the many accomplishments that have resulted from the CRS measurements during the period covered by this report, May 15, 1981 to May 15, 1984, including studies of the energetic oxygen and sulfur nuclei trapped in the Jovian magnetosphere.

Stone, E. C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Modifications of the X-ray source and monitor at the X-ray Calibration Facility

In order to test the instruments aboard the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) some modifications will need to be made in the X-ray Calibration Facility at Marshall. Several of these modifications involve the X-ray source and the monitor. The source was redesigned to increase the spectral purity of the beam and decrease its polarization by minimizing the number of bremsstrahlung photons in the beam. This was accomplished by utilizing an annular electron gun which allowed the beam to take off antiparallel to the direction at which electrons are incident on the anode. Two other features of the source are the conical anode which decreases the effective spot size and a rotatable anode and filter wheel which allow the operator to change targets without breaking vacuum. The monitor is an important part of the facility because it is used to determine the X-ray flux at the target. A commercially available solid-state detector, Si(Li), should be used along with appropriate proportional counters for monitoring. This detector will be particularly useful when energy or wavelength dispersive instruments are tested because of its good resolution.

Newbolt, W. Barlow↗

NASA NTRS1986

Solar pumped laser technology options for space power transmission

An overview of long-range options for in-space laser power transmission is presented. The focus is on the new technology and research status of solar-pumped lasers and their solar concentration needs. The laser options include gas photodissociation lasers, optically-pumped solid-state lasers, and blackbody-pumped transfer lasers. The paper concludes with a summary of current research thrusts.

Conway, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

X-ray instrumentation in astronomy; Proceedings of the Meeting, Cannes, France, December 2-4, 1985

Recent developments in X-ray and EUV astronomical instrumentation are discussed in reviews and reports. Topics examined include optical systems for the NASA Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF), specialized X-ray systems, advanced X-ray optics, gas-filled X-ray detectors, instrumentation for spectrometry on AXAF, X-ray and EUV spectrometers, microchannel plate detectors, and solid-state detectors.

Culhane, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

V-band IMPATT power amplifier

This program is the result of the continuing demand and future requirement for a high data rate 60-GHz communications link. A reliable solid-state transmitter which delivers the necessary power over a wide bandwidth using the present IMPATT diode technology required the development of combining techniques. The development of a 60-GHz IMPATT power combiner amplifier is detailed. The results form a basis from which future wideband, high-power IMPATT amplifiers may be developed. As a result, several state-of-the-art advancements in millimeter-wave components technology were achieved. Specific achievements for the amplifier integration were: development of a nonresonant divider/combiner circuit; reproducible multiple junction circulator assemblies; and reliable high power 60-GHz IMPATT diodes. The various design approaches and tradeoffs which lead to the final amplifier configuration are discussed. A detailed circuit design is presented for the various amplifier components, and the conical line combiner, radial line combiner, and circulator development are discussed. The performance of the amplifier, the overall achievement of the program, the implications of the results, and an assessment of future development needs and recommendations are examined.

Schell, S. W.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Observation of an Excess Current Noise Resulting from Oxygen Absorption onto Iron Films

This paper reports on measurements that demonstrate that oxygen absorbed on clean polycrystalline Fe films can produce an excess current noise. The noise is indicative of dynamic processes occurring in the surface region of the film. We propose that the noise results from the dynamics of a reversible reaction between absorbed states. The measurements are accurately modeled with a single correlation time implying that surface heterogeneity is not important to the reaction. In addition to offering promise for future states of solid-state surface reactions, these measurements also have implications for the origin of 1/f current noise in conductors.

Shanabarger, M. R.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Pressure Measurement

Pressure Systems, Inc.'s DPT 6400 is a system designed to increase productivity in industrial processes where there is a need for making multiple pressure measurements quickly and with high accuracy. It is applicable in controlling industrial processes in plants that are being upgraded to automated status. In order to automate such plants the pressures at the many loops must be measured, converted to digital information and transmitted to the plant's process control computer. The DPT 6400 serves that function. By employing solid-state pressure sensing transducers whose errors are automatically corrected by a microprocessor, it is capable of highly accurate pressure measurements. Basic DPT 6400 has 64 channels, but the system can be expanded to 256 channels by the addition of "slave" units.

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NASA NTRS1980

Emergency/Night Lightning

UDEC's highly efficient lighting system is finding wide acceptance among industrial and commercial firms as an energy savings means of providing emergency and night lighting. Originating from Skylab, the system consists of small high frequency fluorescent light fixtures powered by solar cells. Advantages of UDEC's lighting system stem from high reliability and high light output with very low energy drain. Principal components of system are long life fluorescent lamps operated by electronic circuitry, a sealed gelatine cell battery that needs no maintenance for eight years and a solid-state automatic battery charger. Installation of UDEC lighting in a company's six-and-a-half acre warehouse office cut the annual night lighting electric bill from $8,000 a year to $300 per year.

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NASA NTRS1977

Emergency Lighting

A lighting system originally developed for NASA's Apollo and Skylab manned spacecraft resulted in a industrial spinoff and creation of a whole new company to produce and market the product line. The company is UDEC Corp., Waltham, Mass. UDEC's "Multi-Mode" electronic lighting systems are designed for plant emergency and supplemental use, such as night lighting, "always-on" stairwell lights and illuminated exit signs. Their advantages stem from the qualities demanded for spacecraft installation: extremely high fight output with very low energy drain, compactness, light weight, and high reliability. The Multi-Mode system includes long-life fluorescent lamps operated by electronic circuitry, a sealed battery that needs no maintenance for 10 years, and a solid-state battery charger. A typical emergency installation consists of a master module with battery and an eight watt lamp, together with four remote "Satellight" modules powered by the master's battery. As a night lighting system for maintenance or I security, UDEC fixtures can bypass the battery and 1 operate on normal current at a fraction of the energy 1 demand of conventional night lighting. Industrial customers have realized savings of better than ninety percent with UDEC night lights. UDEC started as a basement industry in 1972 but the company has already sold more than 1,000 lighting systems to building operators.

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NASA NTRS1977

Breadboard Facility

In the sixties, Chrysler was NASA's prime contractor for the Saturn I and IB test launch vehicles. The company installed and operated at Huntsville what was known as the Saturn I/IB Development Breadboard Facility. "Breadboard," means an array of electrical and electronic equipment for performing a variety of development and test functions. This work gave Chrysler a broad capability in computerized testing to assure quality control in development of solid-state electronic systems. Today that division is manufacturing many products not destined for NASA, most of them being associated with the company's automotive line. A major project is production and quality-control testing of the "lean-burn" engine, one that has a built-in Computer to control emission timing, and allow the engine to run on a leaner mixture of fuel and air. Other environment-related products include vehicle emission analyzers. The newest of the line is an accurate, portable solid state instrument for testing auto exhaust gases. The exhaust analyzers, now being produced for company dealers and for service

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NASA NTRS1977

Multiple high voltage output DC-to-DC power converter

Disclosed is a multiple output DC-to-DC converter. The DC input power is filtered and passed through a chopper preregulator. The chopper output is then passed through a current source inverter controlled by a squarewave generator. The resultant AC is passed through the primary winding of a transformer, with high voltages induced in a plurality of secondary windings. The high voltage secondary outputs are each solid-state rectified for passage to individual output loads. Multiple feedback loops control the operation of the chopper preregulator, one being responsive to the current through the primary winding and another responsive to the DC voltage level at a selected output.

Cronin, Donald L.↗