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At least 559 records · Page 31

Metalization Patterns by Thermal Decomposition

Metal interconnection pattern deposited on integrated circuit or solar cell economically by thermal decomposition of metallo-organic compound. In proposed process beam from laser or quartz lamp swept over substrate in required metalization pattern; wherever beam impinges on substrate, radiant heat decomposes compound, depositing metal. Process requires less costly equipment and less time than conventional metalization. Process readily adaptable to very-large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuits.

Gallagher, B. D.↗

Patterns of Fracture and Tidal Stresses Due to Nonsynchronous Rotation: Implications for Fracturing on Europa

Global lineaments on Europa were interpreted as fractures in an icy crust. A variety of lineament types were identified, which appear to form a systematic pattern on the surface. For a synchronously rotating body, the patterns of fractures observed could be produced by a combination of stresses due to orbital recession, orbital eccentricity, and internal contraction. However, it was recently suggested that the forced eccentricity of Europa's orbit may result in nonsynchronous rotation. The hypothesis that fractures in a thin icy crust may have formed in response to stresses resulting from nonsynchronous rotation is studied.

Parmentier, E. M.↗

Large-memory real-time multichannel multiplexed pattern recognition

The principle and experimental design of a real-time multichannel multiplexed optical pattern recognition system via use of a 25-focus dichromated gelatin holographic lens (hololens) are described. Each of the 25 foci of the hololens may have a storage and matched filtering capability approaching that of a single-lens correlator. If the space-bandwidth product of an input image is limited, as is true in most practical cases, the 25-focus hololens system has 25 times the capability of a single lens. Experimental results have shown that the interfilter noise is not serious. The system has already demonstrated the storage and recognition of over 70 matched filters - which is a larger capacity than any optical pattern recognition system reported to date.

Gregory, D. A.↗

A simple model for polar cap convection patterns and generation of theta auroras

An addition of the uniform interplanetary magnetic field and the earth's dipole magnetic field is used to evaluate electric field convection patterns over the polar caps that result from solar wind flow across open geomagnetic field lines. The model also accounts for field-aligned patterns within, and auroral arcs across, the polar cap. The qualitative predictions derived from the model express the electric field magnitudes, aurora intensity, sunward and antisunward flow, and the dusk-side reversal of the convection field in terms of the x and y components of the interplanetary magnetic field.

Lyons, L. R.↗

Far-field patterns of spaceborne antennas from plane-polar near-field measurements

Certain unique features of a recently constructed plane-polar near-field measurement facility for determining the far-field patterns of large and fragile spaceborne antennas are described. In this facility, the horizontally positioned antenna rotates about its axis while the measuring probe is advanced incrementally in a fixed radial direction. The near-field measured data is then processed using a Jacobi-Bessel expansion to obtain the antenna far fields. A summary of the measurement and computational steps is given. Comparisons between the outdoor far-field measurements and the constructed far-field patterns from the near-field measured data are provided for different antenna sizes and frequencies. Application of the substitution method for the absolute gain measurement is discussed. In particular, results are shown for the 4.8-m mesh-deployable high-gain antenna of the Galileo spacecraft which has the mission of orbiting Jupiter in 1988.

Rahmat-Samii, Y.↗

Global and regional ridge patterns on Mars

A systematic study of Martian wrinkle ridges was performed to synthesize a theory of the planetary interior forces which produced such surface features. The survey was carried out using Mariner-9 and Viking orbiter imagery. Attention was given to the global distributions of ridge types in terms of geologic and tectonic surrounds, and to the orientation of ridges relative to impact basins. High/low relief ridges, ridge wings and rectilinear ridges were examined. Ridge orientation and distribution were found to be controlled by the forces of formation and modification of impact basins. Several other conclusions were reached regarding basin-concentric ridge patterns, regional stress patterns, regions of the most numerous ridges, and the location of a major compressive zone.

Chicarro, A. F.↗

Secondary pattern computation of an offset reflector antenna

Reflector antennas are widely used in communications satellite systems because they provide high gain at low cost. In analyzing reflector antennas the computation of the secondary pattern is the main concern. A computer program for calculating the secondary pattern of an offset reflector has been developed and implemented at the NASA Lewis Research Center. The theoretical foundation for this program is based on the use of geometrical optics to describe the fields from the feed to the reflector surface and to the aperture plane. The resulting aperture field distribution is then transformed to the far-field zone by the fast Fourier transform algorithm. Comparing this technique with other well-known techniques (the geometrical theory of diffraction, physical optics (Jacobi-Bessel), etc.) shows good agreement for large (diameter of 100 lambda or greater) reflector antennas.

Acosta, R. J.↗

Spatial greenstone-gneiss relationships: Evidence from mafic-ultramafic xenolith distribution patterns

The distribution patterns of mafic-ultramafic xenoliths within Archaean orthogneiss terrain furnish an essential key for the elucidation of granite-greenstone relations. Most greenstone belts constitute mega-xenoliths rather than primary basin structures. Transition along strike and across strike between stratigraphically low greenstone sequences and xenolith chains demonstrate their contemporaneity. These terrains represent least deformed cratonic islands within an otherwise penetratively foliated deformed gneiss-greenstone crust. Whereas early greenstone sequences are invariably intruded by tonalitic/trondhjemitic/granodioritic gneisses, stratigraphically higher successions may locally overlap older gneiss terrains and their entrained xenoliths unconformably. The contiguity of xenolith patterns suggests their derivation as relics of regional mafic-ultramafic volcanic crustal units and places limits on horizontal movements between individual crustal blocks.

Glikson, A. Y.↗

Progression-regression effects in tracking repeated patterns

Subjects used a position control system to perform compensatory tracking of a repeated input pattern. The input pattern was 20 seconds in duration and was either an arctangent function or the sum of two sine waves. Tracking error decreased with practice and increased with the addition of a concurrent memory task. The shape of the ensemble-average tracking error resembled the shape of the input velocity signal throughout these changes in performance. Regression analyses were used to parameterize these effects and compare these results with the predictions of several conceptualizations of perceptual-motor learning.

Jagacinski, R. J.↗

Problems with deducing ionospheric plasma convection patterns

Problems of constructing an overall convection pattern from various measurements of convection electric fields are examined. Since the measurement techniques used provide information on only a limited spatial region at any time, the construction of the pattern requires a synthesis of data obtained at a variety of times and places. Incoherent scatter radar data for drifting F region plasma are considered as an example.

Sojka, J. J.↗

Prediction of fatigue crack-growth patterns and lives in three-dimensional cracked bodies

Fatigue crack growth patterns and lives for surface cracks, surface cracks at holes, and corner cracks at holes in three dimensional bodies were predicted using linear-elastic fracture mechanics concepts that were modified to account for crack-closure behavior. The predictions were made by using stress intensity factor equations for these crack configurations and the fatigue crack-growth (delta K against rate) relationship for the material of interest. The crack configurations were subjected to constant-amplitude fatigue loading under either remote tension or bending loads. The predicted crack growth patterns and crack growth lives for aluminum alloys agreed well with test data from the literature.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗

The relation between the Type A behavior pattern, pacing, and subjective workload under single- and dual-task conditions

Twenty Type A and 20 Type B subjects performed two discrete tasks alone and together. Half of the subjects performed paced versions of both tasks; half, unpaced versions. Workload ratings were obtained for all subjects under single- and dual-task conditions using eight bipolar adjective scales. Under single-task conditions there was a significant interaction between behavior pattern and pacing on one of the tasks. This interaction indicated that Type A subjects responded more rapidly under unpaced conditions than did Type B subjects, although there was little difference between the groups under paced conditions. Under dual-task conditions, Type A subjects responded more rapidly than did Type B subjects regardless of pacing. There was one significant interaction between behavior pattern and task on one of the workload scales.

Damos, D.↗

Research in lightning swept-stroke attachment patterns and flight conditions with the NASA F-106B airplane

Data on 637 direct lightning strikes and 117 close flashes observed by the NASA instrumented F-106B aircraft as part of the Storm Hazards Program at NASA Langley during 1980-1984 are compiled and analyzed, updating the report of Fisher and Plumer (1983). The airborne and ground-based measurement and recording apparatus and the flight and data-reduction procedures are described, and the results are discussed in terms of lightning-strike-conducive flight conditions and lightning attachment patterns. A peak strike rate of 2.1/min is found at altitude 38,000-40,000 ft and temperature below -40 C, with very few strikes below 20,000 ft. Four categories of swept-flash attachment pattern are identified, but it is pointed out that all exterior surfaces of the F-106B are potential attachment sites.

Fisher, B. D.↗

Patterns of vegetation in the Owens Valley, California

Spectral characteristics of semi-arid shrub communities were examined using Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) data collected in the tree mode on 23 May 1985. Mesic sites with relatively high vegetation density and distinct zonation patterns exhibited greater spectral signature variations than sites with more xeric shrub communities. Spectral signature patterns were not directly related to vegetation density or physiognomy, although spatial maps derived from an 8-channel maximum likelihood classification were supported by photo-interpreted surface features. In AIS data, the principal detected effect of shrub vegetation on the alluvial fans is to lower reflectance across the spectrum. These results are similar to those reported during a period of minimal physiological activity in autumn, indicating that shadows cast by vegetation canopies are an important element of soil-vegetation interaction under conditions of relatively low canopy cover.

Ustin, S. L.↗

Reynolds number effects on surface shear stress patterns around isolated hemispheres

Obstacles projecting into the wind stream alter the shear stress on the surface around them, thus altering the erosion, transportation, and deposition of aeolian sediment. The effect of Reynolds number on the pattern of shear stress on the surface around an isolated hemisphere was investigated. An understanding of Reynolds number effects is necessary if wind tunnel results are to be scaled up to natural situations for meaningful applications. The experiment shows that the surface shear stress pattern is strongly affected by Reynolds number, at least within the range of Re used (1360 to 2977). This is presumably due to a decrease in flow around the sides of the hemisphere and an increase in flow over the object as the Reynolds number increases.

Lee, J. A.↗

The effect of overburden thickness on tension fracture patterns above an uplifting dome

Four experiments demonstrate that tension-fracture patterns above an uplifting dome depend on the thickness of the overburden layer being deformed. Four layers of increasing thicknesses (4.92 cm, 6.92 cm, 9.05 cm, and 11.12 cm) of a very fine sand (85%) and silt-clay (15%) mixture were updomed by slowly inflating a 1.22 m-diameter circular rubber pillow. The upper 2 cm of each layer was wetted and air dried to make it brittle and susceptible to fracture. The fractures that formed during these experiments exhibited a continuum of patterns from dominantly arcuate to dominantly radial as the overburden thickness increased. However, fracture density remained constant in each case for a given amount of surface deformation.

Pranger, H., II↗

Pattern recognition of satellite cloud imagery for improved weather prediction

The major accomplishment was the successful development of a method for extracting time derivative information from geostationary meteorological satellite imagery. This research is a proof-of-concept study which demonstrates the feasibility of using pattern recognition techniques and a statistical cloud classification method to estimate time rate of change of large-scale meteorological fields from remote sensing data. The cloud classification methodology is based on typical shape function analysis of parameter sets characterizing the cloud fields. The three specific technical objectives, all of which were successfully achieved, are as follows: develop and test a cloud classification technique based on pattern recognition methods, suitable for the analysis of visible and infrared geostationary satellite VISSR imagery; develop and test a methodology for intercomparing successive images using the cloud classification technique, so as to obtain estimates of the time rate of change of meteorological fields; and implement this technique in a testbed system incorporating an interactive graphics terminal to determine the feasibility of extracting time derivative information suitable for comparison with numerical weather prediction products.

Gautier, Catherine↗

The origin of the 28- to 29-day recurrent patterns of the solar magnetic field

Numerical simulations of the sun's mean line-of-sight magnetic field suggest an origin for the 28- to 29-day recurrent patterns of the field and its associated interplanetary phenomena. The patterns are caused by longitudinal fluctuations in the eruption of new magnetic flux, the transport of this flux to mid latitudes by supergranular diffusion and meridional flow, and the slow rotation of the resulting flux distributions at the 28- to 29-day periods characteristic of those latitudes.

Sheeley, N. R., Jr.↗