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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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NASA NTRS2008

Moessbauer and Electron Microprobe Studies of Density Separates of Martian Nakhlite Mil03346: Implications for Interpretation of Moessbauer Spectra Acquired by the Mars Exploration Rovers

Martian meteorite MIL03346 is described as an augite-rich cumulate rock with approx.80%, approx.3%, and approx.21% modal phase proportions of augite (CPX), olivine and glassy mesostasis, respectively, and is classified as a nakhlite [1]. The Mossbauer spectrum for whole rock (WR) MIL 03346 is unusual for Martian meteorites in that it has a distinct magnetite subspectrum (~7% subspectral area) [2]. The meteorite also has products of pre-terrestrial aqueous alteration ("iddingsite") that is associated primarily with the basaltic glass and olivine. The Mossbauer spectrometers on the Mars Exploration Rovers have measured the Fe oxidation state and the Fe mineralogical composition of rocks and soils on the planet s surface since their landing in Gusev Crater and Meridiani Planum in January, 2004 [3,4]. The MIL 03346 meteorite provides an opportunity to "ground truth" or refine Fe phase identifications. This is particularly the case for the so-called "nanophase ferric oxide" (npOx) component. NpOx is a generic name for a ferric rich product of oxidative alteration. On Earth, where we can take samples apart and study individual phases, examples of npOx include ferrihydrite, schwertmannite, akagaaneite, and superparamagnetic (small particle) goethite and hematite. It is also possible for ferric iron to be associated to some unknown extent with igneous phases like pyroxene. We report here an electron microprobe (EMPA) and Moessbauer (MB) study of density separates of MIL 03346. The same separates were used for isotopic studies by [5]. Experimental techniques are described by [6,7].

Morris, R. V.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Simple ultraviolet calibration source with reference spectra and its use with the Galileo orbiter ultraviolet spectrometer

A simple compact electron impact laboratory source of UV radiation has been developed and is used to obtain calibrated optically thin VUV spectra and synthetic spectral models for important molecular band systems of H2, N2, and the n 1P0 Rydberg series of He. The relative spectral intensity of the electron impact source can be used as the primary calibration standard for VUV instrumentation in the 80-230 nm range and with FWHM of not less than 0.4 nm. The accuracy of the present method is 10 percent in the FUV and 20 percent in the EUV. Results for calibration of the Galileo orbiter ultraviolet spectrometer have been compared with those obtained using other methods.

Shemansky, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Fe XXI as an electron density diagnostic in solar flares

Atomic data have been calculated for Fe XXI, and the theoretical intensity ratios for many transitions are tabulated. Fe XXI lines in wavelength regions 1-25 A, 90-200 A, and 300-2500 A are discussed with reference to presently available solar and laboratory spectra. It is found that Fe XXI is an excellent density diagnostic for solar-flare and tokamak plasmas, when densities are in the range from 10 to the 11th to 10 to the 15th per cu cm. The theoretical calculations are applied to flare spectra obtained from OSO 5, and an electron density of less than 10 to the 13th per cu cm is deduced for a temperature of 10,000,000 K. The results are somewhat ambiguous in several cases because of the limited spectral and temporal resolution of these earlier spectrometers. However, the calculations will be important for forthcoming solar projects, such as the Solar Maximum Mission.

Mason, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Non-Thermal Hard X-Ray Emission in Galaxy Clusters Observed with the BeppoSAX PDS

We study the X-ray emission in a Sample of galaxy clusters using the BeppoSAX PDS instrument in the 20 - 80 keV energy band. We estimate the non-thermal hard X-ray cluster emission (HXR) by modeling the thermal contribution from the cluster gas and the non-thermal contamination from the unobscured AGN in the clusters. We also evaluate the systematic uncertainties due to the background fluctuations. Assuming negligible contamination from the obscured AGN, the resulting non-thermal component is detected at a 2 sigma level in approx. 50% of the non-significantly AGN-contaminated clusters: A2142, A2199, A2256, A3376, Coma, Ophiuchus and Virgo. The data are consistent with a scenario whereby relaxed clusters have no hard X-ray component of non-thermal origin, whereas merger clusters do. The co-added spectrum of the above clusters indicates a power-law spectrum for the HXR with a photon index of 2.8+0.3-0.4 in the 12 - 115 keV band, and we find indication that it has extended distribution. These indications argue against significant contamination from obscured AGN, which have harder spectra and centrally concentrated distribution. These results are supportive of the assumption of the merger shock acceleration of electrons in clusters, which has been proposed as a possible origin of the non-thermal hard X-ray emission models. Assuming that the Cosmic Microwave Background photons experience Inverse Compton scattering from the merger-accelerated relativistic electrons, and thus produce the observed HXR, the measured hard X-ray slope corresponds to a differential momentum spectra of the relativistic electrons with a slope of mu = 3.8 - 5.0. In presence of cluster magnetic fields this relativistic electron population produces synchrotron emission with a spectral index of 1.4 - 2.1, consistent with radio halo observations of merger clusters. Thus both hard X-ray and radio observations of merger clusters are consistent with the Inverse Compton model. The observed slope of HXR is also consistent with that predicted by the non-thermal bremsstrahlung, which chus cannot be ruled by the fit to the current data, even though this model requires an extreme, untenable cluster energetics. Assuming centrally concentrated distribution of HXR, the data requires a harder slope for the HXR spectrum, which is consistent with secondary electron models, but this model yields a worse fit to the PDS data and thus seems to be disfavored over the primary electron Inverse Compton model.

Nevalainen, J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The energy spectrum of 0.16 to 2 MeV electrons during solar quiet times

New observations of the quiet-time energy spectrum of 0.16 to 2 MeV electrons were made with the Caltech Electron/Isotope Spectrometer which was launched on IMP-7 in September 1972. Earlier measurements of quiet-time electrons in this energy range by other groups have resulted in spectra differing by more than an order of magnitude in intensity. A minimum quiet-time flux somewhat lower than the lowest previously reported spectra and consistent with an extrapolation of the spectrum measured at higher energies was found. A galactic secondary source of knock-on electrons is consistent with the results and with independent studies of the interstellar spectra of cosmic ray nuclei provided that solar modulation does not suppress the 0.162 MeV electron flux by more than a factor of approximately 3. Although not required, other recently suggested sources may also contribute to the observed fluxes.

Hurford, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Electron acceleration to high energies at quasi-parallel shock waves in the solar corona

In the solar corona shock waves are generated by flares and/or coronal mass ejections. They manifest themselves in solar type 2 radio bursts appearing as emission stripes with a slow drift from high to low frequencies in dynamic radio spectra. Their nonthermal radio emission indicates that electrons are accelerated to suprathermal and/or relativistic velocities at these shocks. As well known by extraterrestrial in-situ measurements supercritical, quasi-parallel, collisionless shocks are accompanied by so-called SLAMS (short large amplitude magnetic field structures). These SLAMS can act as strong magnetic mirrors, at which charged particles can be reflected and accelerated. Thus, thermal electrons gain energy due to multiple reflections between two SLAMS and reach suprathermal and relativistic velocities. This mechanism of accelerating electrons is discussed for circumstances in the solar corona and may be responsible for the so-called 'herringbones' observed in solar type 2 radio bursts.

Mann, G.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Electron generation of electrostatic waves in the plasma sheet boundary layer

Broadband electrostatic noise (BEN) has been shown to occur in conjunction with ion beams; extensive investigations of possible ion beam-related instabilities that could generate the observed wave spectra have been conducted. It has also been demonstrated that unstable electron distribution functions are sometimes measured in the plasma sheet boundary layer. We present simultaneous observations of ion and electron distribution functions and electric field wave spectra measured by ISEE 1 and ISEE 2 in the Earth's magnetotail. As the spacecraft moved from the tail lobe toward the plasma sheet, the fast indication of boundary layer plasma was seen in the electron distributions, followed some minutes later by the detection of boundary layer ions. The onset of large-amplitude electrostatic waves at frequencies up to the electron plasma frequency was coincident with the onset of the boundary layer electrons, suggesting that broadband electrostatic waves may often be generated by unstable electron distributions in the plasma sheet boundary layer, particularly the higher frequency portion of the wave spectrum. The observed changes in the electron distribution functions indicate that the plasma was not heated locally by the waves.

Onsager, T. G.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Non-Thermal Hard X-Ray Emission in Galaxy Clusters Observed with the BeppoSAX PDS

We study the X-ray emission in a sample of galaxy clusters using the BeppoSAX PDS instrument in the 20-80 keV energy band. We estimate the nonthermal hard X-ray (HXR) cluster emission by modeling the thermal contribution from the cluster gas and the nonthermal contamination from the unobscured active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in the clusters. We also evaluate the systematic uncertainties due to the background fluctuations. Assuming negligible contamination from the obscured AGNs, the resulting nonthermal component is detected at a 2 sigma level in approx. 50% of the nonsignificantly AGN-contaminated clusters: A2142, A2199, A2256, A3376, Coma, Ophiuchus, and Virgo. The data are consistent with a scenario whereby relaxed clusters have no hard X-ray component of nonthermal origin, whereas merger clusters do, with a 20-80 keV luminosity of approx. 10(exp 43)-10(exp 44) h(sup -2 sub 50) ergs/s. The co-added spectrum of the above clusters indicates a power-law spectrum for the HXR emission with a photon index of 2.8(sup +0.3 sub -0.4) in the 12-115 keV band, and we find indication that it has extended distribution. These indications argue against significant contamination from obscured AGNs, which have harder spectra and a centrally concentrated distribution. These results are supportive of the assumption of the merger shock acceleration of electrons in clusters, which has been proposed as a possible origin of the nonthermal hard X-ray emission models. Assuming that the cosmic microwave background photons experience inverse Compton scattering from the merger-accelerated relativistic electrons and thus produce the observed HXR, the measured hard X-ray slope corresponds to a differential momentum spectra of the relativistic electrons with a slope of mu = 3.8-5.0. In presence of cluster magnetic fields this relativistic electron population produces synchrotron emission with a spectral index of 1.4-2.1, consistent with radio halo observations of merger clusters. Thus both hard X-ray and radio observations of merger clusters are consistent with the inverse Compton model.

Nevalainen, J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The Jovian Aurora - Electron or ion precipitation?

High signal-to-noise spectra of the Jovian aurora obtained at 1200 to 1500 A by the IUE Observatory were examined for the existence of sulfur and oxygen emissions that would be expected if the UV emissions were produced by precipitating heavy ions. The results of these measurements and subsequent spectral modeling, using a model of heavy aurora constructed by Horanyi et al. (1988), showed mixed evidence of the oxygen and sulfur emissions. It was noted that only the UV emissions which are produced above the UV absorbing hydrocarbon layer were observed by the IUE and Voyager UV spectrometers. This fact, combined with the recent observations of the longitudinal distribution of the Jovian UV aurora, indicates that electrons as well as ions play a role in Jovian auroral processes. Based on the observations, it is suggested that heavy-ion auroral energy deposition is concentrated at altitudes below the homopause, while electrons with energies of 10 to 30 keV are responsible for the bulk of the observable UV and EUV emissions.

Waite, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The energy spectrum of 0.16 to 2 MeV electrons during solar quiet times

New observations of the quiet-time energy spectrum of 0.16- to 2-MeV electrons have been made with the Caltech Electron/Isotope Spectrometer which was launched on IMP-7 in September 1972. Earlier measurements of quiet-time electrons in this energy range by other groups have resulted in spectra differing by more than an order of magnitude in intensity. A minimum quiet-time flux level somewhat lower than the lowest previously reported spectra and consistent with an extrapolation of the spectrum measured at higher energies is found. A galactic secondary source of knock-on electrons is consistent with these results and with independent studies of the interstellar spectra of cosmic-ray nuclei, provided that solar modulation does not suppress the 0.16- to 2-MeV electron flux by more than a factor of about 3. Although not required, other recently suggested sources may also contribute to the observed fluxes.

Hurford, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Feasibility study in the application of optical signal analysis to non-destructive testing of complex structures

Advantages of the large time bandwidth product of optical processing are presented. Experiments were performed to study the feasibility of the use of optical spectral analysis for detection of flaws in structural elements excited by random noise. Photographic and electronic methods of comparison of complex spectra were developed. Limitations were explored, and suggestions for further work are offered.

Baker, B.↗