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At least 505 records · Page 28

Resolution Of Phase Ambiguities In QPSK

Report discusses several techniques for resolution of phase ambiguities in detection and decoding of radio signals modulated by coherent quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) and offset QPSK (OQPSK). Eight ambiguities: four associated with phase of carrier signal in absence of ambiguity in direction of rotation of carrier phase, and another four associated with carrier phase in presence of phase-rotation ambiguity.

Nguyen, Tien M.↗

Probing the Galactic halo along the 3C 273 sight line using IUE

High-resolution spectra of the QSO 3C 273 were obtained in 1989 and added to two spectra recorded in 1982. The coadded spectra represent 600,000 s of integration at a resolution of 30 km/s from 1200 to 2000 A. The line of sight passes through the Virgo Cluster the entire halo of the Milky Way, at Galactic latitude b = 64 deg, and foreground X-ray-emitting material from local disturbed gas. The observed equivalent width of Galactic C IV is greater than the equivalent width of C II, a situation that is uncommon in local gas but is often found in QSO absorption line systems. The lines of C IV, Al III, and Si IV may arise in an extended halo or may be associated with local disturbed gas in a radio loop. The remaining detected species (H I, C II, Si II) arise predominately from the local gas. Most of the gas is probably within 5 kpc, but no firm conclusion is reached. Possible detection of interstellar absorption due to the Virgo Cluster is discussed.

Burks, Geoffrey S.↗

ROSAT observations of pulsed soft X-ray emission from PSR 1055-52

Utilizing the position-sensitive proportional counter and the high-resolution imager aboard the orbiting X-ray observatory ROSAT, we have detected pulsations at the radio period from the pulsar PSR 1055-52. The pulse shapes are energy-dependent and show a transition at about 0.5 keV where the phase angle of the pulse peak changes by about -120 deg and the pulsed fraction increases from 11 percent to 63 percent toward larger energies. Simple spectral models are found to be unsatisfactory, while multicomponent models, such as a soft blackbody and hard power-law tail, yield better fits to the pulse-height data. The hard power-law tail is consistent with the extension of the recently reported EGRET results and may indicate a common emission mechanism for the X-ray through GeV gamma-ray regime. The soft blackbody component with T(infinity) = (7.5 +/- 0.6) x 10 exp 5 K, if interpreted as the initial cooling of a neutron star, is consistent with standard cooling models and does not require the presence of exotic components.

Oegelman, Hakki↗

The role of CO2 in weathering reactions and the presence of S2 on Venus: Implications for the pyrite stability field

The stability of pyrite has become the focal point of study, since regions of low radio thermal emissivity were detected during the Pioneer Venus and Magellan radar mapping missions of Venus. Thermodynamic calculations and experimental studies have been performed assuming CO2 is a major contributor to the weathering of sulfides, as CO2 is the major gas species in the Venusian atmosphere. The purpose of the present study, however, is to demonstrate that CO2 is a non-reactive gas and that a minor species, S2, is the most important gas in determining whether pyrite is stable in the high radar reflectivity regions.

Straub, Darcy W.↗

(abstract) Dynamics of Meteor Trails Deposited in the Equatorial Electrojet

Previously we reported that the meteor echoes detected at the Jicamarca Radio Observatory exhibit some unusual properties. In summary, the echo durations are very long ..., radio wave scattering is non-specular ..., and the doppler spectra of the scattered signals contain components that are red-shifted ... immediately after the onset of the echoes.

meteor trails radio wave scattering↗

Chandra Detection of a Parsec Scale Wind in the Broad Line Radio Galaxy 3C 382

We present unambiguous evidence for a parsec scale wind in the Broad-Line Radio Galaxy (BLRG) 3C 382, the first radio-loud AGN whereby an outflow has been measured with X-ray grating spectroscopy. A 118 ks Chandra grating (HETG) observation of 3C 382 has revealed the presence of several high ionization absorption lines in the soft X-ray band, from Fe, Ne, Mg and Si. The absorption lines are blue-shifted with respect to the systemic velocity of 3C 382 by -840+/-60 km/s and are resolved by Chandra with a velocity width of sigma = 340+/-70 km/s. The outflow appears to originate from a single zone of gas of column density N(sub H) = 1.3 x 10(exp 21)/sq cm and ionization parameter log(E/erg/cm/s) = 2.45. From the above measurements we calculate that the outflow is observed on parsec scales, within the likely range from 10-1000 pc, i.e., consistent with an origin in the Narrow Line Region. Finally we also discuss the possibility of a much faster (0.1c) outflow component, based on a blue-shifted iron K(alpha) emission line in the Suzaku observation of 3C 382, which could have an origin in an accretion disk wind.

Reeves, J. N.↗

NASA Tech Briefs, August 2011

Topics covered include: Miniature, Variable-Speed Control Moment Gyroscope; NBL Pistol Grip Tool for Underwater Training of Astronauts; HEXPANDO Expanding Head for Fastener-Retention Hexagonal Wrench; Diagonal-Axes Stage for Pointing an Optical Communications Transceiver; Improvements in Speed and Functionality of a 670-GHz Imaging Radar; IONAC-Lite; Large Ka-Band Slot Array for Digital Beam-Forming Applications; Development of a 150-GHz MMIC Module Prototype for Large-Scale CMB Radiation; Coupling Between Waveguide-Fed Slot Arrays; PCB-Based Break-Out Box; Multiple-Beam Detection of Fast Transient Radio Sources; Router Agent Technology for Policy-Based Network Management; Remote Asynchronous Message Service Gateway; Automatic Tie Pointer for In-Situ Pointing Correction; Jitter Correction; MSLICE Sequencing; EOS MLS Level 2 Data Processing Software Version 3; DspaceOgre 3D Graphics Visualization Tool; Metallization for Yb14MnSb11-Based Thermoelectric Materials; Solvent/Non-Solvent Sintering To Make Microsphere Scaffolds; Enhanced Fuel-Optimal Trajectory-Generation Algorithm for Planetary Pinpoint Landing; Self-Cleaning Coatings and Materials for Decontaminating Field-Deployable Land and Water-Based Optical Systems; Separation of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with DEP-FFF; Li Anode Technology for Improved Performance; Post-Fragmentation Whole Genome Amplification-Based Method; Microwave Tissue Soldering for Immediate Wound Closure; Principles, Techniques, and Applications of Tissue Microfluidics; Robotic Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering and Organ Growth; Stress-Driven Selection of Novel Phenotypes; Method for Accurately Calibrating a Spectrometer Using Broadband Light; Catalytic Microtube Rocket Igniter; Stage Cylindrical Immersive Display; Vacuum Camera Cooler; Atomic Oxygen Fluence Monitor; Thermal Management Tools for Propulsion System Trade Studies and Analysis; Introduction to Physical Intelligence; Technique for Solving Electrically Small to Large Structures for Broadband Applications; Accelerated Adaptive MGS Phase Retrieval; Large Eddy Simulation Study for Fluid Disintegration and Mixing; Tropospheric Correction for InSAR Using Interpolated ECMWF Data and GPS Zenith Total Delay; Technique for Calculating Solution Derivatives With Respect to Geometry Parameters in a CFD Code; Acute Radiation Risk and BRYNTRN Organ Dose Projection Graphical User Interface; Probabilistic Path Planning of Montgolfier Balloons in Strong, Uncertain Wind Fields; Flight Simulation of ARES in the Mars Environment; Low-Outgassing Photogrammetry Targets for Use in Outer Space; Planning the FUSE Mission Using the SOVA Algorithm; Monitoring Spacecraft Telemetry Via Optical or RF Link; and Robust Thermal Control of Propulsion Lines for Space Missions.

Source record↗

Discovery of Nine Gamma-Ray Pulsars in Fermi-Lat Data Using a New Blind Search Method

We report the discovery of nine previously unknown gamma-ray pulsars in a blind search of data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). The pulsars were found with a novel hierarchical search method originally developed for detecting continuous gravitational waves from rapidly rotating neutron stars. Designed to find isolated pulsars spinning at up to kHz frequencies, the new method is computationally efficient, and incorporates several advances, including a metric-based gridding of the search parameter space (frequency, frequency derivative and sky location) and the use of photon probability weights. The nine pulsars have spin frequencies between 3 and 12 Hz, and characteristic ages ranging from 17 kyr to 3 Myr. Two of them, PSRs Jl803-2149 and J2111+4606, are young and energetic Galactic-plane pulsars (spin-down power above 6 x 10(exp 35) ergs per second and ages below 100 kyr). The seven remaining pulsars, PSRs J0106+4855, J010622+3749, Jl620-4927, Jl746-3239, J2028+3332,J2030+4415, J2139+4716, are older and less energetic; two of them are located at higher Galactic latitudes (|b| greater than 10 degrees). PSR J0106+4855 has the largest characteristic age (3 Myr) and the smallest surface magnetic field (2x 10(exp 11)G) of all LAT blind-search pulsars. PSR J2139+4716 has the lowest spin-down power (3 x l0(exp 33) erg per second) among all non-recycled gamma-ray pulsars ever found. Despite extensive multi-frequency observations, only PSR J0106+4855 has detectable pulsations in the radio band. The other eight pulsars belong to the increasing population of radio-quiet gamma-ray pulsars.

Celik-Tinmaz, Ozlem↗

X-Ray Emission from Supernovae in Dense Circumstellar Matter Environments: A Search for Collisionless Shock

The optical light curve of some supernovae (SNe) may be powered by the outward diffusion of the energy deposited by the explosion shock (so-called shock breakout) in optically thick (tau approx > 30) circumstellar matter (CSM). Recently, it was shown that the radiation-mediated and -dominated shock in an optically thick wind must transform into 8. collisionless shock and can produce hard X-rays. The X-rays are expected to peak at late times, relative to maximum visible light. Here we report on a search, using Swift-XRT and Chandra, for X-ray emission from 28 SNe that belong to classes whose progenitors are suspected to be embedded in dense CSM. Our sample includes 19 type-IIn SNe, one type-Ibn SN and ei~ht hydrogen-poor super-luminous SNe (SLSN-I; SN 2005ap like). Two SNe (SN 2006jc and SN 2010jl) have X-ray properties that are roughly consistent with the expectation for X-rays from a collisionless shock in optically thick CSl\l. Therefore, we suggest that their optical light curves are powered by shock breakout in CSM. We show that two other events (SN 2010al and SN 2011ht) were too X-ray bright during the SN maximum optical light to be explained by the shock breakout model. We conclude that the light curves of some, but not all, type-IIn/Ibn SNe are powered by shock breakout in CSM. For the rest of the SNe in our sample, including all the SLSN-I events, our X-ray limits are not deep enough and were typically obtained at too early times (i.e., near the SN maximum light) to conclude about their nature. Late time X-ray observations are required in order to further test if these SNe are indeed embedded in dense CSM. We review the conditions required for a shock breakOut in a wind profile. We argue that the time scale, relative to maximum light, for the SN to peak in X-rays is a probe of the column density and the density profile above the shock region. The optical light curves of SNe, for which the X-ray emission peaks at late times, are likely powered by the diffusion of shock energy from a dense CSM. We note that if the CSM density profile falls faster than a constant-rate wind density profile, then X-rays may escape at earlier times than estimated for the wind profile case. Furthermore, if the CSM have a region in which the density profile is very steep, relative to a steady wind density profile, or the CSM is neutral, then the radio free-free absorption may be low enough, and radio emission may be detected.

Ofek, E.O↗

In Situ Detection of Strong Langmuir Turbulence Processes in Solar Type III Radio Bursts

The high time resolution observations obtained by the WAVES experiment of the STEREO spacecraft in solar type III radio bursts show that Langmuir waves often occur as intense localized wave packets. These wave packets are characterized by short durations of only a few ms and peak intensities, which well exceed the supersonic modulational instability (MI) thresholds. These timescales and peak intensities satisfy the criterion of the solitons collapsed to spatial scales of a few hundred Debye lengths. The spectra of these wave packets consist of primary spectral peaks corresponding to beam-resonant Langmuir waves, two or more sidebands corresponding to down-shifted and up-shifted daughter Langmuir waves, and low frequency enhancements below a few hundred Hz corresponding to daughter ion sound waves. The frequencies and wave numbers of these spectral components satisfy the resonance conditions of the modulational instability (MI). Moreover, the tricoherences, computed using trispectral analysis techniques show that these spectral components are coupled to each other with a high degree of coherency as expected of the MI type of four wave interactions. The high intensities, short scale lengths, sideband spectral structures and low frequency spectral enhancements and, high levels of tricoherences amongst the spectral components of these wave packets provide unambiguous evidence for the supersonic MI and related strong turbulence processes in type III radio bursts. The implication of these observations include: (1) the MI and related strong turbulence processes often occur in type III source regions, (2) the strong turbulence processes probably play very important roles in beam stabilization as well as conversion of Langmuir waves into escaping radiation at the fundamental and second harmonic of the electron plasma frequency, fpe, and (3) the Langmuir collapse probably follows the route of MI in type III radio bursts.

Langmuir↗

X-ray Emission from Supernovae in Dense Circumstellar Matter Environments: a Search for Collisionless Shocks

The optical light curve of some supernovae (SNe) may be powered by the outward diffusion of the energy deposited by the explosion shock (the so-called shock breakout) in optically thick (Tau approx > 30) circumstellar matter (CSM). Recently, it was shown that the radiation-mediated and radiation-dominated shock in an optically thick wind must transform into a collisionless shock and can produce hard X-rays. The X-rays are expected to peak at late times, relative to maximum visible light. Here we report on a search, using Swift/XRT and Chandra, for X-ray emission from 28 SNe that belong to classes whose progenitors are suspected to be embedded in dense CSM. Our sample includes 19 Type IIn SNe, one Type Ibn SN, and eight hydrogen-poor superluminous SNe (SLSN-I such as SN 2005ap). Two SNe (SN 2006jc and SN 2010jl) have X-ray properties that are roughly consistent with the expectation for X-rays from a collisionless shock in optically thick CSM. However, the X-ray emission from SN 2006jc can also be explained as originating in an optically thin region. Thus, we propose that the optical light curve of SN 2010jl is powered by shock breakout in CSM. We suggest that two other events (SN 2010al and SN 2011ht) were too X-ray bright during the SN maximum optical light to be explained by the shock-breakout model.We conclude that the light curves of some, but not all, SNe IIn/Ibn are powered by shock breakout in CSM. For the rest of the SNe in our sample, including all of the SLSN-I events, our X-ray limits are not deep enough and were typically obtained too early (i.e., near the SN maximum light) for definitive conclusions about their nature. Late-time X-ray observations are required in order to further test whether these SNe are indeed embedded in dense CSM. We review the conditions required for a shock breakout in a wind profile. We argue that the timescale, relative to maximum light, for the SN to peak in X-rays is a probe of the column density and the density profile above the shock region. In SNe whose X-ray emission slowly rises, and peaks at late times, the optical light curve is likely powered by the diffusion of shock energy in a dense CSM. We note that if the CSM density profile falls faster than a constant-rate wind-density profile, then X-rays may escape at earlier times than estimated for the wind-profile case. Furthermore, if the CSM has a region in which the density profile is very steep relative to a steady wind-density profile, or if the CSM is neutral, then the radio free-free absorption may be sufficiently low for radio emission to be detected.

matter↗

Super-Eddington Mechanical Power of an Accreting Black Hole in M83

Mass accretion onto black holes releases energy in the form of radiation and outflows. Although the radiative flux cannot substantially exceed the Eddington limit, at which the outgoing radiation pressure impedes the inflow of matter, it remains unclear whether the kinetic energy flux is bounded by this same limit. Here, we present the detection of a radio-optical structure, powered by outflows from a non-nuclear black hole. Its accretion disk properties indicate that this black hole is less than 100 solar masses. The optical-infrared line emission implies an average kinetic power of 3 × 10(exp 40) erg second(exp -1), higher than the Eddington luminosity of the black hole. These results demonstrate kinetic power exceeding the Eddington limit over a sustained period, which implies greater ability to influence the evolution of the black hole's environment.

uper-Eddington Mechanical Power↗

Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Project Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document SMAP L1B Radiometer Data Product: L1B_TB

The purpose of the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) radiometer calibration algorithm is to convert Level 0 (L0) radiometer digital counts data into calibrated estimates of brightness temperatures referenced to the Earth's surface within the main beam. The algorithm theory in most respects is similar to what has been developed and implemented for decades for other satellite radiometers; however, SMAP includes two key features heretofore absent from most satellite borne radiometers: radio frequency interference (RFI) detection and mitigation, and measurement of the third and fourth Stokes parameters using digital correlation. The purpose of this document is to describe the SMAP radiometer and forward model, explain the SMAP calibration algorithm, including approximations, errors, and biases, provide all necessary equations for implementing the calibration algorithm and detail the RFI detection and mitigation process. Section 2 provides a summary of algorithm objectives and driving requirements. Section 3 is a description of the instrument and Section 4 covers the forward models, upon which the algorithm is based. Section 5 gives the retrieval algorithm and theory. Section 6 describes the orbit simulator, which implements the forward model and is the key for deriving antenna pattern correction coefficients and testing the overall algorithm.

microwave radiometers↗

Breakout Reconnection and Eruption in a Double Null-point Topology

Basic Question: Why are some eruptions successful while others remain confined? • We analyzed an eruption associated with a C-class flare in a null-point topology (fan-spine/embedded bipole configuration) within NOAA AR 11791, embedded within a large pseudostreamer between two coronal holes. • About 4 hours prior, interchange reconnection at the null produced a faint jet and a B-class flare without any filament eruption. • Continued reconnection below the filament built a flux rope (FR) that rose slowly and later generated the C1.4 flare. The flux rope reconnected with pseudostreamer flux near inner null, producing a remote (third) ribbon at the base of the fan and partial ejection of the flux rope. • Multiple plasmoids appeared in two places: above the rising flux rope in the breakout current sheet (the deformed null), and in a vertical flare current sheet below the flux rope (quasiperiodic flare reconnection). • Weak, narrow, coronal and interplanetary Type-III radio bursts were also detected, suggesting that electron beams from the null were ejected into the heliosphere. • The partial FR ejected from the inner system encountered the overlying arcade and null of the big pseudostreamer higher in the corona and oscillated, but did not escape. • EUV and coronagraph images revealed a wave and a faint ejection from the pseudostreamer that propagated laterally southward with ~270 km s-1. • We suggest that the main factors leading to the confined filament eruption are (i) lack of significant breakout reconnection between the rising flux rope and the overlying arcade due to an unfavorable relative orientation of these flux systems; and/or (ii) insufficient free energy of the flux rope to overcome the tension forces of the overlying arcades.

J Karpen↗

Specialized diamond materials for NMR applications

Polarizable diamond materials and methods for obtaining nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of samples external to the diamond materials are described. The diamond materials can include 12C, 13C, substitutional nitrogen, and nitrogen vacancy defects in a crystalline lattice, wherein the substitutional nitrogen concentration is between 10 ppm and 200 ppm, the nitrogen vacancy concentration is between 10 ppb and 10 ppm, and the 13C concentration is greater than 1.1% and not more than 25%. Methods for obtaining nuclear magnetic resonance spectra can include optically pumping a diamond material to generate electron spin hyperpolarization in nitrogen vacancy centers, transferring the electron spin hyperpolarization to nuclei of the sample, and generating a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum by applying a magnetic field to the sample, exciting the sample with a radio frequency pulse, and detecting a nuclear magnetic resonance response from the sample.

Parker, Alfred↗

Radiation Detection System Integration Using Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Radios

This study describes the application development of multiple-input multiple-output radios to provide persistent mobile ad hoc network (MANET) for the Department of Homeland Security. By using Man Portable Unit (MPU5) fifth generation radios (manufactured by Persistent Systems) with the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK), an Android smartphone geospatial infrastructure and military situational awareness application, the Remote Sensing Laboratory has developed a MANET connectivity to monitor deployed nuclear/radiological search operation assets.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Radio properties of optically selected quasars

Approximately one-quarter (256 objects) of the Large Bright Quasar Survey (LBQS) has been observed with the VLA at 8.4 GHz, resulting in 44 detections (17%) with a median 3 sigma noise limit of 0.29 mJy. Quasars with radio luminosity detectable at this limit are underrepresented at faint absolute blue magnitudes (M(sub B) greater than or equal to -24), an effect which cannot be explained by a potential LBQS selection bias against quasars which have large radio luminosities and small optical luminosities. The radio-loud (8 GHz luminosity greater than 10(exp 25) W/Hz) fraction is observed to change as a function of redshift and M(sub B), for M(sub B) less than -24, although the causal variable is ambiguous. The description most consistent with the available data is that radio-loud fraction is approximately constant over the range -27.5 less than or equal to M(sub B) less than or equal to -24 and increases at brighter absolute magnitudes. The radio-loud fraction as a function of redshift reaches a local maximum at z approximately equal to 1, and, aside from the effects of icreased radio-loud fraction at bright M(sub B), remains roughly constant to redshifts approaching 5. The log R(sub 8.4) distribution (radio-to-optical luminosity ratio) of the current LBQS sample may be bimodal, but the results of statistical tests are ambiguous, requiring a larger sample size to become definite.

Hooper, Eric J.↗