Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Solid State Devices”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 469 records · Page 26
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1989

Solid state lasers for use in non-contact temperature measurements

The last decade has seen a series of dramatic developments in solid state laser technology. Prominent among these has been the emergence of high power semiconductor laser diode arrays and a deepening understanding of the dynamics of solid state lasers. Taken in tandem these two developments enable the design of laser diode pumped solid state lasers. Pumping solid state lasers with semiconductor diodes relieves the need for cumbersome and inefficient flashlamps and results in an efficient and stable laser with the compactness and reliability. It provides a laser source that can be reliably used in space. These new coherent sources are incorporated into the non-contact measurement of temperature. The primary focus is the development and characterization of new optical materials for use in active remote sensors of the atmosphere. In the course of this effort several new materials and new concepts were studied which can be used for other sensor applications. The general approach to the problem of new non-contact temperature measurements has had two components. The first component centers on passive sensors using optical fibers; an optical fiber temperature sensor for the drop tube was designed and tested at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Work on this problem has given insight into the use of optical fibers, especially new IR fibers, in thermal metrology. The second component of the effort is to utilize the experience gained in the study of passive sensors to examine new active sensor concepts. By active sensor are defined as a sensing device or mechanism which is interrogated in some way be radiation, usually from a laser. The status of solid state lasers as sources for active non-contact temperature sensors are summarized. Some specific electro-optic techniques are described which are applicable to the sensor problems at hand. Work on some of these ideas is in progress while other concepts are still being worked out.

Buoncristiani, A. M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Communications Transceivers for Venus Surface Missions

The high temperature of the surface of Venus poses many difficulties. Previous Venus landers have only operated for short durations before succumbing to the heat. NASA Glenn Research Center conducted a study on communications for long duration Venus surface missions. I report the findings in this presentation. Current technology allows production of communications transceivers that can operate on the surface of Venus, at temperatures above 450 C and pressures of over 90 atmospheres. While these transceivers would have to be relatively simple, without much of the advanced signal processing often used in modern transceivers, since current and near future integrated circuits cannot operate at such high temperatures, the transceivers will be able to meet the requirements of proposed Venus Surface mission. The communication bands of interest are High Frequency or Very High Frequency (HFNHF) for communication between Venus surface and airborne probes (including surface to surface and air to air), and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) to Microwave bands for communication to orbiters. For HFNHF, transceivers could use existing vacuum tube technology. The packaging of the vacuum tubes may need modification, but the internal operating structure already operates at high temperatures. Using metal vacuum structures instead of glass, allows operation at high pressure. Wide bandgap transistors and diodes may be able to replace some of the thermionic components. VHF communications would be useful for line-of- sight operations, while HF would be useful for short-wave type communications using the Venusian ionosphere. UHF and microwave communications use magnetically focused thermionic devices, such as traveling wave tubes (TWTs), magnetron (M-type) amplifiers, and klystrons for high power amplifiers, and backward wave oscillators (BWOs) and reflex klystrons for oscillators. Permanent magnets are already in use in industry that can operate at 500 C. These magnets could focus electron beam tubes on the surface of Venus. While microwave windows will need to be designed for the high pressure, diamond windows have already been demonstrated, so high-pressure microwave windows can be designed and built. Thus, all of these devices could be useful for Venus surface missions. Current electronic power conditioners to supply the high voltages used in these microwave devices cannot operate at high temperatures, but earlier electronic power conditioners that used vacuum tubes can be modified to work at high temperature. Evaluating the various devices in this study, the M-type traveling wave tube (where a traveling wave structure is used in a crossed-field device, similar to the Amplitron used on the Apollo missions) stood out for the high power amplifier since it requires a single high voltage, simplifying the power supply design. Since the receiver amplifier is a low power amplifier, the loss of efficiency in linear beam devices without a depressed collector (and thus needing a single high voltage) is not important; a low noise TWT is a possible solution. Before solid-state microwave amplifiers were available, such TWTs were built with a 1-2 dB noise figure. A microwave triode or transistor made from a wide bandgap material may be preferable, if available. Much of the development work needed for Venusian communication devices will need to focus on the packaging of the devices, and their connections, but the technology is available to build transceivers that can operate on the surface of Venus indefinitely.

Force, Dale A.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Solid-State Ultracapacitor Polymer Composite

An ultracapacitor made from a polymer loaded with ceramic powder would have several advantages over current ultracapacitors and batteries. First is the possibility of it being printable, which would allow for printing the energy storage device along with the circuit instead of having to find a way to add one later without damaging the rest of the components. When not printed in a specific design for use on a printed wiring board, this type of ultracapacitor could still be cured via a mold to a shape suitable to specific applications. Many polymers maintain some flexibility even after curing, such as the silicone used in this study. The manufacturing process would also be far simpler than that of conventional ultracapacitors.In this work, solid-state ultracapacitors were made by adding the dielectric powder to a two-part polymer (resin and hardener) at the same time. The mixture was then cured in the desired shape at a low temperature until completely set. The addition of the powder to the polymer increased its dielectric properties while leaving most of its physical properties unaltered. At higher powder loading percentages, there were some physical changes as the maximum loading point was approached. To determine the efficiency of these solid-state ultracapacitors, their capacitances were tested, and their dielectric constants (DCs) were measured and compared.

energy storage↗
DOE OSTI2024

Upconversion on the Micrometer Scale: Impact of Local Heterogeneity

The properties of perovskite/naphtho[2,3-a]pyrene (NaPy) upconversion devices are investigated by a combination of atomic force microscopy and photoluminescence mapping to understand the role of microscopic heterogeneity in the ensemble device properties. The results emphasize strong microscopic inhomogeneity across the perovskite/NaPy upconversion device due to local formation of NaPy microcrystals. NaPy shows emission from three distinct states in the solid state: S 1 ′ emission at 520 nm, excimer emission at 560 nm, and S 1 ″ emission at 620 nm. Clear spatial differences in the emission spectrum under 405 nm excitation are found, highlighting that there is a strong microcrystal-to-microcrystal variation in the optical properties─emphasizing a need for multimodal measurements. Furthermore, our results indicate that microcrystals with strong emission from the strongly coupled low-energy state S 1 ″ (J-dimer) show much higher upconversion intensity than those with dominant emission from the high-energy S 1 ′ state (I-aggregate). Hence, our results suggest that microcrystals with strong emission from the low-energy state S 1 ″ act as isolated hotspots for upconversion.

Crystals↗
NASA NTRS1989

Tethered Remote Manipulator

Remote-manipulator concept for retrieval or inspection of objects in outer space applied to underwater or in tanks of hazardous chemicals. System includes tether head on outer end of tether cable wound on motor-driven takeup reel. Head includes mounting plate with four canted thrustors facing rearward, solid-state camera with patterned sources of light facing forward, and pneumatic inflatable end effector. Also includes device to cut head loose in emergency. Intended for use in places beyond reach of jointed rigid-arm manipulator and where unsafe or impractical to send humans.

Bryan, Thomas C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Light Source

Research on food growth for long duration spacecraft has resulted in a light source for growing plants indoors known as Qbeam, a solid state light source consisting of a control unit and lamp. The light source, manufactured by Quantum Devices, Inc., is not very hot, although it generates high intensity radiation. When Ron Ignatius, an industrial partner of WCSAR, realized that terrestrial plant research lighting was not energy efficient enough for space use, he and WCSAR began to experiment with light emitting diodes. A line of LED products was developed, and QDI was formed to market the technology. An LED-based cancer treatment device is currently under development.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2007

Promoting Robust Design of Diode Lasers for Space: A National Initiative

The Diode-laser Array Working Group (DAWG) is a national-level consumer/provider forum for discussion of engineering and manufacturing issues which influence the reliability and survivability of high-power broad-area laser diode devices in space, with an emphasis on laser diode arrays (LDAs) for optical pumping of solid-state laser media. The goals of the group are to formulate and validate standardized test and qualification protocols, operational control recommendations, and consensus manufacturing and certification standards. The group is using reliability and lifetime data collected by laser diode manufacturers and the user community to develop a set of standardized guidelines for specifying and qualifying laser diodes for long-duration operation in space, the ultimate goal being to promote an informed U.S. Government investment and procurement strategy for assuring the availability and durability of space-qualified LDAs. The group is also working to establish effective implementation of statistical design techniques at the supplier design, development, and manufacturing levels to help reduce product performance variability and improve product reliability for diodes employed in space applications

Tratt, David M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Inexpensive low-voltage solid-state alarm

Monitor/alarm with audio and visual warning output can be used to warn when prescribed limits of temperature, liquid level, pressure, or similar properties are exceeded. Device is more compact, lighter, and less expensive to manufacture than typical alarm circuits.

Hardy, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Coherent Doppler lidar for automated space vehicle, rendezvous, station-keeping and capture

Recent advances in eye-safe, short wavelength solid-state lasers offer real potential for the development of compact, reliable, light-weight, efficient coherent lidar. Laser diode pumping of these devices has been demonstrated, thereby eliminating the need for flash lamp pumping, which has been a major drawback to the use of these lasers in space based applications. Also these lasers now have the frequency stability required to make them useful in coherent lidar, which offers all of the advantages of non-coherent lidar, but with the additional advantage that direct determination of target velocity is possible by measurement of the Doppler shift. By combining the Doppler velocity measurement capability with the inherent high angular resolution and range accuracy of lidar it is possible to construct Doppler images of targets for target motion assessment. A coherent lidar based on a Tm,Ho:YAG 2-micrometer wavelength laser was constructed and successfully field tested on atmospheric targets in 1990. This lidar incorporated an all solid state (laser diode pumped) master oscillator, in conjunction with a flash lamp pumped slave oscillator. Solid-state laser technology is rapidly advancing, and with the advent of high efficiency, high power, semiconductor laser diodes as pump sources, all-solid-state, coherent lidars are a real possibility in the near future. MSFC currently has a feasibility demonstration effort under way which will involve component testing, and preliminary design of an all-solid-state, coherent lidar for automatic rendezvous, and capture. This two year effort, funded by the Director's Discretionary Fund is due for completion in 1992.

Dunkin, James A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

High field CdS detector for infrared radiation

New and highly sensitive method of detecting infrared irradiation makes possible solid state infrared detector which is more sensitive near room temperature than usual photoconductive low band gap semiconductor devices. Reconfiguration of high field domains in cadmium sulphide crystals provides basis for discovery.

Tyagi, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

800 x 800 charge-coupled device /CCD/ camera for the Galileo Jupiter Orbiter mission

During January 1982 the NASA space transportation system will launch a Galileo spacecraft composed of an orbiting bus and an atmospheric entry probe to arrive at the planet Jupiter in July 1985. A prime element of the orbiter's scientific instrument payload will be a new generation slow-scan planetary imaging system based on a newly developed 800 x 800 charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor. Following Jupiter orbit insertion, the single, narrow-angle, CCD camera, designated the Solid State Imaging (SSI) Subsystem, will operate for 20 months as the orbiter makes repeated encounters with Jupiter and its Galilean Satellites. During this period the SSI will acquire 40,000 images of Jupiter's atmosphere and the surfaces of the Galilean Satellites. This paper describes the SSI, its operational modes, and science objectives.

Clary, M. C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Monolithic watt-level millimeter-wave diode-grid frequency tripler array

In order to provide watt-level CW output power throughout the millimeter and submillimeter wave region, thousands of solid-state diodes have been monolithically integrated using a metal grid to produce a highly efficient frequency multiplier. Devices considered include GaAs Schottky diodes, thin MOS diodes, and GaAs Barrier-Intrinsic-N(+)diodes. The performance of the present compact low-cost device has been theoretically and experimentally validated.

Hwu, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

JPL activities on development of acousto-optic tunable filter imaging spectrometer

Recent activities of JPL in the development of a new type of imaging spectrometers for earth observation and planetary exploration are reported. This instrument uses the acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) as high resolution and fast programmable bandpass filter. AOTF operates in the principle of acousto-optic interaction in an anisotropic medium. This filter can be tuned in sequential, random, and multiwavelength access modes, providing observational flexibility. The diffraction process in the filter generates two diffracted monochromatic beams with polarization orthogonal to each other, creating a unique capability to measure both polarimetric and spectral properties of the incoming light simultaneously with a single instrument. The device gives wide wavelength operations with reasonably large throughput. In addition, it is in a compact solid-state structure without moving parts, providing system reliability. These attractive features give promising opportunities to develop a new generation of airborne/spaceborne and ground, real-time, imaging spectrometer systems for remote sensing applications.

Cheng, Li-Jen↗
NASA NTRS1996

Sol-gel Technology and Advanced Electrochemical Energy Storage Materials

Advanced materials play an important role in the development of electrochemical energy devices such as batteries, fuel cells, and electrochemical capacitors. The sol-gel process is a versatile solution for use in the fabrication of ceramic materials with tailored stoichiometry, microstructure, and properties. This processing technique is particularly useful in producing porous materials with high surface area and low density, two of the most desirable characteristics for electrode materials. In addition,the porous surface of gels can be modified chemically to create tailored surface properties, and inorganic/organic micro-composites can be prepared for improved material performance device fabrication. Applications of several sol-gel derived electrode materials in different energy storage devices are illustrated in this paper. V2O5 gels are shown to be a promising cathode material for solid state lithium batteries. Carbon aerogels, amorphous RuO2 gels and sol-gel derived hafnium compounds have been studied as electrode materials for high energy density and high power density electrochemical capacitors.

Chung-tse Chu↗
DOE OSTI2026

Solid neon as a noise-resilient host for electron qubits above 100 mK

Solid neon can be used as a solid host for single-electron qubits. At temperatures of around 10 mK, electron-on-solid-neon charge qubits exhibit long coherence times and high operation fidelities. However, a systematic characterization of the noise features of such systems is needed for the development of scalable quantum information architectures. Here, in this work, we show that solid neon can be used as a noise-resilient host for electron qubits above 100 mK. We examine the resilience of solid neon against charge and thermal noise when electron-on-solid-neon charge qubits are operated away from the charge-insensitive sweet spot and at elevated temperatures. We show that the extracted high-frequency charge noise density of electron-on-solid-neon qubits, projected as voltage fluctuations on nearby electrodes, is between 10 −4 μV 2 Hz −1 and 10 −6 μV 2 Hz −1 at 0.01 MHz to 1 MHz, which is comparable to common semiconductor hosts. We also show that the electron-on-solid-neon charge qubits operating at frequencies of around 5 GHz can maintain echo coherence times of over 1 μs at temperatures up to 400 mK.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1970

Solid state variable time delay

Variable time delay line does not require use of a magnetic field to control a time delay, and can both amplify and delay a signal. Device is inexpensive and space saving, it does not require mecanically moving components, eliminating detrimental vibrations in a sensitive environment.

Fitzgerald, T. M.↗