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At least 721 records · Page 40

Acoustic emission characteristics of copper alloys under low-cycle fatigue conditions

The acoustic emission (AE) characteristics of pure copper, zirconium-copper, and several copper alloys were determined to develop nondestructive evaluation schemes of thrust chambers through AE techniques. The AE counts rms voltages, frequency spectrum, and amplitude distribution analysis evaluated AE behavior under fatigue loading conditions. The results were interpreted with the evaluation of wave forms, crack propagation characteristics, as well as scanning electron fractographs of fatigue-tested samples. AE signals at the beginning of a fatigue test were produced by a sample of annealed alloys. A sample of zirconium-containing alloys annealed repeatedly after each fatigue loading cycle showed numerous surface cracks during the subsequent fatigue cycle, emitting strong-burst AE signals. Amplitude distribution analysis exhibits responses that are characteristic of certain types of AE signals.

Krampfner, Y.↗

Investigation of the shell stars omicron and theta Per, and of the eclipsing binary beta Lyr

All three stars showed rather complicated spectra, which require a very detailed spectroscopic analysis. The far UV spectrum of Beta Lyrae is clearly peculiar, with a multitude of emission lines not observed on any other star so far scanned with Copernicus. This made this star at once the most interesting and also, in a sense, easier to study. The other two stars display a spectrum rich in absorption lines, some of them being fairly broad (as expected for photospheric lines of rapidly rotating objects), some sharp. The later were clearly non-photospheric lines. An attempt was made to distinguish the circumstellar from the interstellar components.

Plavec, M.↗

Spectrophotometry of the transient X-ray source A0620-00

Optical observations of the transient X-ray source A0620-00 over the wavelength range from about 3200 to 6600 A are analyzed which were made with the 5-m Hale telescope using a multichannel spectrometer, a digital spectrograph with a cooled integrating SIT vidicon, and an image photon-counting system attached to the camera of the coude spectrograph. Infrared observations at 1.65, 2.2, and 3.5 microns are also examined. Individual spectral lines of special interest are discussed, the E(B-V) color excess is estimated to be about 0.40, and a distance of 1200 pc is adopted. Analysis of the continuous spectrum yields several simple binary models. A specific model is proposed in which one of the continuum sources is an optically thick object characterized by a model atmosphere at a temperature of 25,000 to 30,000 K and the second source is either a cool black body at 4000 K or a partially optically thick source of bound-free plus free-free radiation from a hydrogen gas with an electron temperature of at least 100,000 K. Some possible parameters of these sources and of the accretion disk are considered.

Oke, J. B.↗

Chemiluminescent reactions of sulfur /3P2/ atoms in cryogenic matrices - S + O2 yields SO2 /a3 B1/

Results are reported for thermoluminescence studies of reactions of sulfur atoms in cryogenically deposited solid argon through in situ photolysis of OCS. Analysis of the thermoluminescence spectrum that resulted from photolysis and heating of matrices in which O2 was codeposited with an OCS/Ar mixture shows that the emitter contained oxygen derived from the added O2 and that little SO2 accumulated during photolysis. The observed absence of thermoluminescence or fluorescence in either of the allowed transitions of excited SO2 is taken as definitive evidence that ground-state sulfur atoms can insert into the oxygen molecule with effectively zero activation energy.

Long, S. R.↗

The expanding envelope of Tau Sco /B0 V/

Results are reported for an analysis of the UV spectrum of Tau Sco as observed by Copernicus. It is found that the spectrum exhibits a number of resonance lines of C III, C IV, N III, N V, O VI, Si IV, and P V, all of which have extended violet absorption wings that reach several different velocities. The UV lines of Tau Sco are compared with those of Zeta Pup, the line profiles are studied by a comparison with predicted profiles, and the optical depth of the lines is derived as a function of velocity in the envelope by means of line fitting. The velocity-height relation is examined, the mass-loss rate is derived, and the ionization equilibrium in the envelope is investigated. The data are then evaluated in light of three proposed mass-loss mechanisms. The mass-loss rate is estimated to be about 7 billionths of a solar mass per year, and the observed rapid acceleration of the stellar wind is attributed to radiation pressure in the envelope. It is shown that an imperfect-flow model for the stellar wind gives qualitative agreement with the observations.

Lamers, H. J. G. L. M.↗

Incipient Failure Detection (IFD) of antifriction ball bearings

Two methods were investigated for retrieving the ball bearing signals buried by the overall signature of an operating large engine such as the main space shuttle engine. The signal averaging method averages n** signals over a time duration equaling the known period of the ball bearing defect frequency. With this method, the desired ball bearing defect signal will be enhanced over the noise by a factor of the square root of n. A second method is to perform a further frequency analysis on the logarithmic spectrum in order to detect and separate different families of harmonics and sidebands, thereby giving information about modulating frequencies. These two alternate IFD methods were carried out with a Norland 3001 waveform and data system. The obtained results are then compared with the power spectral density (PSD) of the overall machine signals and conclusions are made accordingly.

Wang, D. Y.↗

Infrared spectra of olivine polymorphs - Alpha, beta phase and spinel

The infrared absorption spectra of several olivines (alpha phase) and their corresponding beta phase (modified spinel) and spinel (gamma) high-pressure polymorphs are determined. Spectra were measured for ground and pressed samples of alpha and gamma A2SiO4, where A = Fe, Ni, Co; alpha and gamma Mg2GeO4; alpha Mg2SiO4; and beta Co2SiO4. The spectra are interpreted in terms of internal, tetrahedral and octagonal, and lattice vibration modes, and the spinel results are used to predict the spectrum of gamma Mg2SiO4. Analysis of spectra obtained from samples of gamma Mg2GeO4 heated to 730 and 1000 C provides evidence that partial inversion could occur in silicate spinels at elevated temperatures and pressures.

Jeanloz, R.↗

Martian CO abundance from the J = 1-0 rotational transition - Evidence for temporal variations

CO 2.6-mm wavelength observations of Mars during March 29-April 1, 1980, were analyzed using a model atmosphere based on Viking measurements. A least-squares fit of the model to the observed line profile yielded an average CO mixing ratio of 0.0032 + or - 0.0011, a value four times larger than that obtained by Kaplan (1969) from the analysis of an infrared spectrum obtained in 1967. Martian atmospheric chemistry models indicate that the temporal variation implied could exist, being due primarily to variations in H2O abundance.

Good, J. C.↗

Opportunities for composites in commercial transport structures

Manufacturers are developing composite versions of structural components on existing aircraft. Development involves testing of various material options before selecting one and then extensive testing to develop an adequate data base of material strength and stiffness properties. Design options are narrowed through analysis and a varied spectrum of development tests on small and large subcomponents. In parallel with this, a suitable production process including economical ply preparation and cure at high temperature and pressure is evolved, tools are designed and fabricated, and full scale components are then manufactured for ground qualification tests, flight tests, and airline service. The various tests include many that are required by the FAA for flight certification, which must precede airline service. Inspection and repair methods to insure adequate maintenance in service are also developed.

Herman L. Bohon↗

Advanced composite stabilizer for Boeing 737 aircraft

Activities related to development of an advanced composites stabilizer for the Boeing 737 commercial transport are reported. Activities include discussion of criteria and objectives, design loads, the fatigue spectrum definition to be used for all spectrum fatigue testing, fatigue analysis, manufacturing producibility studies, the ancillary test program, quality assurance, and manufacturing development.

Source record↗

Observations of shadow bands at the total solar eclipse of 16 February 1980

Photoelectric observations of short term light variations (shadow bands) at the 16 Feb. 1980 total solar eclipse have been made using a set of spatially separated PIN diodes. Light variations in a bandpass of 1-500 Hz were detected during the half-minutes preceding and following the total phase. Fourier analysis of the noise spectrum of the variations reveals a sharp drop-off for frequencies above 50 Hz and an overall spectrum quite similar to previously reported power spectra of stellar scintillation. This is consistent with an atmospheric origin for the shadow bands. Cross-correlations between the detector outputs are low, suggesting a short persistence time for the turbulent elements causing the patterns.

Marschall, L. A.↗

Roundoff noise analysis for digital signal power processors using Welch's power spectrum estimation

The noise due to finite-word-length effects is analyzed for digital-signal power processors using Welch's power-spectrum estimation technique to measure the power of Gaussian random signals over a frequency band of interest. The input of the digital signal processor contains a finite-length time interval in which the true Gaussian signal is contaminated by Gaussian noise. The roundoff noise-to-signal ratio in the measurement of the signal power is derived, and computer simulations which validate the analytical results are presented. These results can be used in tradeoff studies of hardware design, such as the number of bits required at each processing stage. The results presented in this paper are currently being used in the design of a digital Doppler processor (Chi et al., 1986) for a radar scatterometer.

Chi, Chong-Yung↗

High-speed assembly language (80386/80387) programming for laser spectra scan control and data acquisition providing improved resolution water vapor spectroscopy

An assembly language program using the Intel 80386 CPU and 80387 math co-processor chips was written to increase the speed of data gathering and processing, and provide control of a scanning CW ring dye laser system. This laser system is used in high resolution (better than 0.001 cm-1) water vapor spectroscopy experiments. Laser beam power is sensed at the input and output of white cells and the output of a Fabry-Perot. The assembly language subroutine is called from Basic, acquires the data and performs various calculations at rates greater than 150 faster than could be performed by the higher level language. The width of output control pulses generated in assembly language are 3 to 4 microsecs as compared to 2 to 3.7 millisecs for those generated in Basic (about 500 to 1000 times faster). Included are a block diagram and brief description of the spectroscopy experiment, a flow diagram of the Basic and assembly language programs, listing of the programs, scope photographs of the computer generated 5-volt pulses used for control and timing analysis, and representative water spectrum curves obtained using these programs.

Allen, Robert J.↗

Infrared band extinctions and complex refractive indices of crystalline C2H2 and C4H2

Thermal IR absorption intensities are obtained for thin films of crystalline C2H2 and C4H2 at 70 K, and their n and k complex refractive indices are ascertained by separating true film absorption from interface reflection on the basis of an analysis of the transmission spectrum ratio for two sample thicknesses. This method significantly simplifies the n and k iteration process. The n and k values determined in the laboratory will in most cases reproduce a given sample thickness' observed transmission to within + or - 5 percent.

Khanna, R. K.↗

Theoretical study of the dissociation energy and the red and violet band systems of CN

The dissociation energy (D sub O) of CN is determined to be 7.65 + or - 0.06 eV. This corresponds to delta H sub f (CN) = 105.3 + or - 1.5 kcal/mole, in excellent agreement with Engleman and Rouse (1975), but considerably larger than the recent value deduced from shock-tube studies by Colket (1984). The result is obtained not only from extensive ab initio MRCI calculations using a very large Gaussian basis set, but also from extrapolation of the directly computed value by comparison of computed and experimental results fo NO, C2, and N2. As an additional calibration of the methods, the D sub O value for CN was computed from the corresponding value for CN(-) using the experimental electron affinity data. The lifetime of the nu prime = 0 level of the violet (B 2 sigma + yields X 2 sigma +) system was computed to be 62.4 ns, in good agreement with both experiment and previous calculations. Lifetimes for the red (A 2 pi yields X 2 sigma +) system decrease with increasing nu prime, which is consistent both with the recent experiment and calculations. While the computed lifetimes are significantly longer that those obtained from the experiment, they are shorter than those deduced from an analysis of the solar spectrum. However the D sub O and f (sub OO) are consistent with Lambert's model for the solar spectrum.

Bauschlicher, Charles W., Jr.↗

Multifrequency radio observations of Cygnus A - Spectral aging in powerful radio galaxies

A detailed analysis of the radio spectrum across the lobes of Cygnus A is presented in order to critically test the synchroton spectral aging theory. The results are in good agreement with the jet model for powerful radio galaxies, involving particle acceleration at the hot spots and outflow into the radio lobes, with subsequent energy loss due to synchrotron radiation. The hot spot spectra are well represented by a spectral aging model involving continuous injection of relativistic particles. Both hot spots have spectral break frequencies around 10 GHz. An injection index of 0.5 is found for both hot spots, consistent with diffusive shock acceleration at a strong nonrelativistic shock in a Newtonian fluid. The LF hot spot emission spectrum falls below the injected power law. This effect is isolated to the hot spots, and is best explained by a low-energy cutoff in the particle distribution.

Carilli, C. L.↗

Observation of 3-6 day meridional wind oscillations over the tropical Pacific, 1973-1992: Vertical structure and interannual variability

Rawinsonde data from tropical Pacific stations were examined for westward-propagating 3-6-day meridional wind oscillations in the troposphere and lower stratosphere, 1973-1992. Four types were identified from cross-spectrum and principal component analysis. (1) The dominant oscillation, near 250 mb, had a period slightly greater than 5 days, zonal wavenumber 4-6, and modified Rossby-gravity structure near the date line. (2) In the western Pacific lower troposphere there was broadband activity with short zonal scale, coupled to upper-tropospheric waves in NH summer. (3) In the central Pacific, during NH autumn, there was a well-defined approximately 4 1/2-day oscillation with maximum amplitude in the lower troposphere and baroclinic phase tilt above. The vertical structure suggested coupling to deep tropical convection; this interpretation was supported by correlation of meridional wind with antisymmetric outgoing longwave radiation. (4) In the stratosphere, Rossby-gravity waves had periods less than or equal to 4 days and zonal wavenumber 3-4. Unlike tropospheric waves, these disturbances were coherent in a shallow layer, largest in west phase of quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and annual cycle (NH winter-spring).

Dunkerton, Timothy J.↗

Semiconductor Laser Low Frequency Noise Characterization

This work summarizes the efforts in identifying the fundamental noise limit in semiconductor optical sources (lasers) to determine the source of 1/F noise and it's associated behavior. In addition, the study also addresses the effects of this 1/F noise on RF phased arrays. The study showed that the 1/F noise in semiconductor lasers has an ultimate physical limit based upon similar factors to fundamental noise generated in other semiconductor and solid state devices. The study also showed that both additive and multiplicative noise can be a significant detriment to the performance of RF phased arrays especially in regard to very low sidelobe performance and ultimate beam steering accuracy. The final result is that a noise power related term must be included in a complete analysis of the noise spectrum of any semiconductor device including semiconductor lasers.

SEMICONDUCTOR LASERS↗