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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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2001

Laser Absorption Measurements of Equivalence Ratios Studied Along With Their Coupling to Pressure Fluctuations in Lean Premixed Prevaporized (LPP) Combustion

Concerns about damaging the Earth's ozone layer as a result of high levels of nitrogen oxides (known collectively as NOx) from high-altitude, high-speed aircraft have prompted the study of lean premixed prevaporized (LPP) combustion in aircraft engines. LPP combustion reduces NOx emissions principally by reducing the peak flame temperatures inside an engine. Recent advances in LPP technologies have realized exceptional reductions in pollutant emissions (single-digit ppm NOx for example). However, LPP combustion also presents major challenges: combustion instability and dynamic coupling effects between fluctuations in heat-release rate, dynamic pressure, and fuel pressure. These challenges are formidable and can literally shake an engine apart if uncontrolled. To better understand this phenomenon so that it can be controlled, we obtained real-time laser absorption measurements of the fuel vapor concentration (and equivalence ratio) simultaneously with the dynamic pressure, flame luminosity, and time-averaged gaseous emissions measurements in a research-type jet-A-fueled LPP combustor. The measurements were obtained in NASA Glenn Research Center's CE-5B optically accessible flame tube facility. The CE-5B facility provides inlet air temperatures and pressures similar to the actual operating conditions of real aircraft engines. The laser absorption measurements were performed using an infrared 3.39 micron HeNe laser in conjunction with a visible HeNe laser for liquid droplet scattering compensation.

Nguyen, Quang-Viet↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Solid-state Laser Development for the in Situ Spectroscopic Europa Explorer Instrument

The in Situ Spectroscopic Europa Explorer (iSEE) instrument is an ultra-compact laser-enabled Raman spectrometer instrument that meets the top-level science requirements for multiple future planetary in situ missions to explore the surface and atmospheric chemistry of planetary bodies across the Solar System. Enceladus, Europa, the Moon, Mars, and Venus are some of the primary targets for future NASA missions to search for extraterrestrial life and potentially habitable environments beyond Earth, further our understanding of the timing and formation of the Solar System and identify potentially viable economic resources such as water and/or valuable metal assets. We report on the advancement and space flight qualification of a compact, robust, solid-state laser operating at 515 nm that serves as the excitation source for the iSEE investigation. The iSEE instrument is being developed under a NASA Maturation of Instruments for Solar System Exploration (MatISSE) program. The iSEE laser is a diode pumped 1030 nm Yb:YAG microchip laser with a second harmonic generator to achieve an output wavelength of 515 nm and coupled to a multi-mode fiber for delivery to the Raman spectrometer probe. The fundamental 1030 nm laser operates at a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of 1-10 kHz with pulse energy of 95 μJ and ~800 ps pulse width. A 15 mm long Type II KTP crystal is used for second harmonic generation from 1030 nm to 515 nm. The residual fundamental 1030 nm is separated from the 515 nm beam using a pair of dichroic filters. A focusing lens couples the 515 nm beam to the optical fiber to produce an output laser pulse energy of 20 μJ. A custom vacuum fiber feedthrough assembly was designed with two 105 μm core fibers, and two 200 μm core fibers. One fiber is needed for coupling the laser to the iSEE instrument, and the additionally fibers provide redundancy and design flexibility. The laser enclosure is pressurized with >1 atm of clean dry air. The laser has been designed to minimize the size, weight, and power (SWaP) for a lander instrument with minimal resources. The laser will go through environmental testing including vibration and thermal vacuum testing for space flight qualification. Here we discuss the design, trade studies, performance, and environmental qualificationtesting of the iSEE laser.

Solid state laser, Raman spectrometer, visible las↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Solid-State Laser Development for the in Situ Spectroscopic Europa Explorer Instrument

The in Situ Spectroscopic Europa Explorer (iSEE) instrument is an ultra-compact laser-enabled Raman spectrometer instrument that meets the top-level science requirements for multiple future planetary in situ missions to explore the surface and atmospheric chemistry of planetary bodies across the Solar System. Enceladus, Europa, the Moon, Mars, and Venus are some of the primary targets for future NASA missions to search for extraterrestrial life and potentially habitable environments beyond Earth, further our understanding of the timing and formation of the Solar System, and identify potentially viable economic resources such as water and/or valuable metal assets. We report on the advancement and space flight qualification of a compact, robust, solid-state laser operating at 515 nm that serves as the excitation source for the iSEE investigation.

Solid state laser, Raman spectrometer, visible las↗
NASA NTRS1979

Ion-molecule processes in lasers

Three classes of molecular electronic transition lasers produced by hybrid pumping of high pressure rate gas mixtures are discussed. These are (1) rare gas dimer lasers (such as excited Ar2, Kr2, and Xe2) lasing in the VUV, (2) rare gas halide lasers or excimer lasers (such as KrF, ArF, and XeCl excimers) lasing in the UV, and (3) the charge transfer molecular ion laser (such as N2/+/) lasing in the visible range. Laser excitation methods and kinetic sequences are examined for these lasers.

Laudenslager, J. B.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Comparison of continuum-continuum and Coulomb-laser-coupling delays from visible to midinfrared wavelengths

We compare the various proposed formulas for CLC and CC delays using analytical and numerical methods across a range of wavelengths spanning visible to midinfrared. We show that one of the CC definitions is nearly equal to the CLC delay over a range of photoelectron energies and wavelengths. We furthermore obtain alternate expressions for the CC delays. These expressions are simpler to use and show close correspondence to the CLC delays. Based on this correspondence, we suggest a correction to the CLC delay for low-energy electrons, where the currently used approximation breaks down. Our work provides guidance for when it is valid to treat CC and CLC delays as being equivalent.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1985

Microprocessor-controlled laser tracker for atmospheric sensing

An optical tracking system comprising a visible HeNe laser, an imaging detector, and a microprocessor-controlled mirror, has been designed to track a moving retroreflector located up to 500 m away from an atmospheric instrument and simultaneously direct spectrally tunable infrared laser radiation to the retroreflector for double-ended, long-path absorption measurements of atmospheric species. The tracker has been tested during the recent flight of a balloon-borne tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer which monitors the concentrations of stratospheric species within a volume defined by a 0.14-m-diameter retroreflector lowered 500 m below the instrument gondola.

Johnson, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Room-temperature-operation visible-emission semiconductor diode lasers

There were two main approaches taken to develop shorter wavelength lasers. (1) Based on (AlGa)As and liquid-phase epitaxy, significant new results were obtained: Properties of these laser diodes (power output, spectra, and beam patterns), materials considerations, laser theory, and growth problems are discussed. The design of (AlGa)As layers is discussed from the vertical point of view, and various design curves are given. Horizontal structural requirements are also discussed. Experimental results from measurements done as a function of hydrostatic pressure are correlated with other results. (2) The first heterojunction laser structures using GaAs sub l-x P sub x and In sub y Ga sub l-y P at compositions, where the lattice constants are matched, were grown using vapor-phase growth technology and are described in detail, including experimental device results. Threshold current densities from 3,000 to 5,000 A per sq cm. and emission wavelengths from 6,520 A to 6,640 A were obtained at 77 K. The limiting factor in these devices is nonradiative recombination at the heterojunctions. Life tests on facet-coated (AlGa)As CW diodes are reported.

Ladany, I.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Visible GaAs/0.7/P/0.3/ CW heterojunction lasers

The paper reports the first low-threshold red-light-emitting heterojunction laser diodes consisting of lattice-matched Ga(As,P)/(In,Ga)P heteroepitaxial layers. A room-temperature threshold current of 3400 A/sq cm was obtained at a wavelength of about 7000 A; this value is substantially lower than those achieved at this wavelength with (Al,Ga)As lasers. For the first time, continuous-wave laser operation at temperatures as high as 10 C has been obtained for GaAs(1-x)P(x).

Kressel, H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The 1.1 micrometer and visible emission semiconductor diode lasers

In (AlGa)As, the first of three alloy systems studied, Continuous Wave (CW) operation was obtained at room temperature at a wavelength as low as 7260 A. Reliability in this system was studied in the incoherent mode. Zinc doped devices had significant degradation, whereas Ge or Ge plus Zi doped devices had none. The Al2O3 facet coatings were shown to significantly reduce facet deterioration in all types of lasers, longer wavelength units of that type having accumulated (at the time of writing) 22,000 hours with little if any degradation. A CL study of thin (AlGa)As layers revealed micro fluctuation in composition. A macro-scale fluctuation was observed by electroreflectance. An experimental and theoretical study of the effect of stripe width on the threshold current was carried out. Emission below 7000 A was obtained in VPE grown Ga(AsP) (In,Ga)P with CW operation at 10 C. Lasers and LED's were made by LPE in (InGa) (AsP). Laser thresholds of 5 kA/cm2 were obtained, while LED efficiences were on the order of 2%. Incoherent life test over 6000 hours showed no degradation.

Ladany, I.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A contribution to laser range imaging technology

The goal of the project was to develop a methodology for fusion of a Laser Range Imaging Device (LRID) and camera data. Our initial work in the project led to the conclusion that none of the LRID's that were available were sufficiently adequate for this purpose. Thus we spent the time and effort on the development of the new LRID with several novel features which elicit the desired fusion objectives. In what follows, we describe the device developed and built under contract. The Laser Range Imaging Device (LRID) is an instrument which scans a scene using a laser and returns range and reflection intensity data. Such a system would be extremely useful in scene analysis in industry and space applications. The LRID will be eventually implemented on board a mobile robot. The current system has several advantages over some commercially available systems. One improvement is the use of X-Y galvonometer scanning mirrors instead of polygonal mirrors present in some systems. The advantage of the X-Y scanning mirrors is that the mirror system can be programmed to provide adjustable scanning regions. For each mirror there are two controls accessible by the computer. The first is the mirror position and the second is a zoom factor which modifies the amplitude of the position of the parameter. Another advantage of the LRID is the use of a visible low power laser. Some of the commercial systems use a higher intensity invisible laser which causes safety concerns. By using a low power visible laser, not only can one see the beam and avoid direct eye contact, but also the lower intensity reduces the risk of damage to the eye, and no protective eyeware is required.

Defigueiredo, Rui J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

dc discharge cell for laser optogalvanic spectroscopy

A dc electrical discharge cell for laser optogalvanic spectroscopy has been designed and tested. Signal optimization is achieved through the use of adjustable electrode positions and an orthogonal geometry between the probe laser and the discharge axis. Results are presented for visible dye laser and infrared diode laser studies of selected neutral, radical, and ion species.

Webster, C. R.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Broadband Fourier-Transform Optical Photothermal Infrared Spectroscopy and Imaging

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is a powerful method for mapping chemical heterogeneity on the microscale. Synchrotron IR radiation uniquely provides a high brightness and broad bandwidth to further extend the capabilities of IR spectroscopic imaging. However, the diffraction-limited spatial resolution of IR spectroscopy is insufficient for studies requiring submicrometer spatial differentiation. Optical photothermal IR (O-PTIR) microscopy is a powerful, emerging method that overcomes the IR diffraction limit in IR hyperspectral imaging by employing a modulated IR beam and a visible probe laser beam to detect local temperature-induced modulation at the visible diffraction limit. In this work, we extend the spectral range of photothermal infrared measurements by incorporating a synchrotron IR source, demonstrating a combined synchrotron-based O-PTIR modality that enables high spatial resolution far-field chemical imaging spanning the entire mid-IR range. Both optical- and fluorescence-detected photothermal modalities were performed using a step-scan interferometer, demonstrating improved spectral range (541-4000 cm-1) when compared to optical photothermal microscopy with commercial laser sources (800-1800 cm-1 for this particular source) and improved spatial resolution, when compared to synchrotron microspectroscopy measurements. Following these initial validation studies, synchrotron Fourier-transform fluorescence-detected photothermal IR spectroscopy in combination with synchrotron microspectroscopy measurements was used to differentiate cells in mouse brain tissue sections, which requires submicron spatial resolutions beyond those accessible by IR spectroscopy alone.

Razumtcev, Aleksandr↗
NASA NTRS1998

Diode laser absorption sensors for gas-dynamic and combustion flows

Recent advances in room-temperature, near-IR and visible diode laser sources for tele-communication, high-speed computer networks, and optical data storage applications are enabling a new generation of gas-dynamic and combustion-flow sensors based on laser absorption spectroscopy. In addition to conventional species concentration and density measurements, spectroscopic techniques for temperature, velocity, pressure and mass flux have been demonstrated in laboratory, industrial and technical flows. Combined with fibreoptic distribution networks and ultrasensitive detection strategies, compact and portable sensors are now appearing for a variety of applications. In many cases, the superior spectroscopic quality of the new laser sources compared with earlier cryogenic, mid-IR devices is allowing increased sensitivity of trace species measurements, high-precision spectroscopy of major gas constituents, and stable, autonomous measurement systems. The purpose of this article is to review recent progress in this field and suggest likely directions for future research and development. The various laser-source technologies are briefly reviewed as they relate to sensor applications. Basic theory for laser absorption measurements of gas-dynamic properties is reviewed and special detection strategies for the weak near-IR and visible absorption spectra are described. Typical sensor configurations are described and compared for various application scenarios, ranging from laboratory research to automated field and airborne packages. Recent applications of gas-dynamic sensors for air flows and fluxes of trace atmospheric species are presented. Applications of gas-dynamic and combustion sensors to research and development of high-speed flows aeropropulsion engines, and combustion emissions monitoring are presented in detail, along with emerging flow control systems based on these new sensors. Finally, technology in nonlinear frequency conversion, UV laser materials, room-temperature mid-IR materials and broadly tunable multisection devices is reviewed to suggest new sensor possibilities.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS1992

Lidar Measurements of Aerosol and Ozone Distributions During the 1992 Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition

The LaRC airborne lidar system was operated from the ARC DC-8 aircraft during the 1992 Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition (ASEE-2) to investigate the distribution of stratospheric aerosols and O3 across the Arctic vortex from Jan. to Mar. 1992. Monthly flights were made across the Arctic vortex from Anchorage, Alaska, to Stavanger, Norway, and then back to Bangor, Maine, and additional round-trip flights north into the vortex were made each month from either Stavanger or Bangor depending on the location of the vortex that month. The airborne lidar system uses the differential absorption lidar (DIAL) technique at laser wavelengths of 301.5 and 310.8 nm to measure O3 profiles above the DC-8 over the 12-25 km altitude range. Lidar measurements of aerosol backscatter and depolarization profiles over the 12-30 km altitude range are made simultaneously with the O3 measurements using infrared (IR) and visible (VIS) laser wavelengths of 603 and 1064 nm, respectively. The measurements of Pinatubo aerosols, polar stratospheric clouds, and O3 made with the airborne DIAL system during the AASE-2 expedition and to chemical and dynamical process that contribute to O3 depletion in the wintertime Arctic stratosphere.

Browell, E. V.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Experimental studies of 1.5 – 1.6 μm high-power single-frequency semiconductor lasers

High-power semiconductor laser systems based on 1.5 – 1.6 μm single-frequency distributed feedback (DFB) lasers with a sidewall Bragg diffraction grating are developed and their current – voltage, light – current, and spectral characteristics are experimentally studied. The characteristics of conventional lasers with a Fabry – Perot cavity and DFB lasers fabricated from one and the same heterostructure are compared. At a pump current not exceeding 700 mA, a conventional laser with a cavity length of 1.6 mm and a mesa-stripe width of 3 μm emits a power no lower than 200 mW versus 150 mW of the DFB laser; both lasers are mounted in a housing 11 mm in diameter. The DFB laser mounted in a butterfly housing emits a power no lower than 100 mW at the exit of the single-mode cable at a pump current not exceeding 500 mA, which, at a 60 % coupling efficiency, corresponds to a power no lower than 165 mW; the side-mode suppression ratio in this case is no lower than 53 dB. It is shown that the wavelength deviation with changing pump current and temperature is almost an order of magnitude lower for the DFB laser than for the conventional laser. (paper)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1971

Experiment M406, optical communications

An optical communications system, consisting of a gallium arsenide laser transmitter and three instrumented ground sites, was evaluated during the Gemini 7 flight. Considered was the use of crewmembers as a pointing element and the exploration of the atmosphere by optical coherent radiator outside the atmosphere. Results show that beacon lasers of greater survivability in field environments are needed to overcome unfavorable cloud conditions. A 1-watt argon laser is visible at orbital altitudes.

Lilly, D. S.↗