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At least 757 records · Page 42

Quantitative comparisons of electron-scale turbulence measurements in NSTX via synthetic diagnostics for high-k scattering.

Two synthetic diagnostics are implemented for the high-k scattering system in NSTX [D. R. Smith, E. Mazzucato, W. Lee, H. K. Park, C. W. Domier, and N. C. Luhmann Jr., Rev. Sci. Instrum., 79, 123501 (2008)] allowing direct comparisons between synthetic and experimentally detected frequency and wavenumber spectra of electron-scale turbulence fluctuations. Synthetic diagnostics were formulated in real-space and in wavenumber space, and were deployed to realistic electron-scale simulations carried out with the GYRO code [J. Candy and R. E. Waltz, J. Comput. Phys. 186 (2003) 545]. A highly unstable ETG regime (electron temperature gradient mode) in a modest beta NSTX NBI-heated H-mode discharge was chosen for the analysis. Mapping the measured wavenumbers to field aligned coordinates showed that the high-k system is sensitive to fluctuations that are closer to the spectral peak in the density fluctuation wavenumber spectrum (streamers) than originally predicted. Analysis of synthetic spectra show that the frequency response of the detected fluctuations is dominated by Doppler shift and insensitive to the turbulence drive. The shape of the high-k density fluctuation wavenumber spectrum is sensitive to the ETG turbulence drive conditions, and can be reproduced in a sensitivity scan of the most pertinent turbulent drive terms in the simulation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Ionization yield measurement in a germanium CDMSlite detector using photo-neutron sources

Two photo-neutron sources, Y 88 Be 9 and Sb 124 Be 9 , have been used to investigate the ionization yield of nuclear recoils in the CDMSlite germanium detectors by the SuperCDMS collaboration. In this study, we evaluate the yield for nuclear recoil energies between 1 and 7 keV at a temperature of ~ 50 mK . We use a geant4 simulation to model the neutron spectrum assuming a charge yield model that is a generalization of the standard Lindhard model and consists of two energy dependent parameters. We perform a likelihood analysis using the simulated neutron spectrum, modeled background, and experimental data to obtain the best fit values of the yield model. The ionization yield between recoil energies of 1 and 7 keV is shown to be significantly lower than predicted by the standard Lindhard model for germanium. There is a general lack of agreement among different experiments using a variety of techniques studying the low energy range of the nuclear recoil yield, which is most critical for interpretation of direct dark matter searches. This suggests complexity in the physical process that many direct detection experiments use to model their primary signal detection mechanism and highlights the need for further studies to clarify underlying systematic effects that have not been well understood up to this point.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

The X-ray variability of NGC 6814 - Power spectrum

The existence of the periodic component seen in NGC 6814 with Exosat at 12,000 +/- 100 s is confirmed by a power spectrum and folded light curve analysis of unevenly sampled Ginga data. A comparison of the power spectra produced from simulated light curves with that observed enables the intrinsic shape of the power spectrum of the source to be determined despite the distortions introduced by the window function. The best estimate for the period is 12,132 +/- 3 s, where the error is that derived from simulations. An upper limit to the rate of change of period of about 10 exp -9 is inferred if the light curves are truly phase-coherent, but as this is not required by the data, the conservative upper limit is not greater than 5 x 10 exp -7. The large amount of power in the periodic component and its stability both suggest occultation of the source as its origin.

Done, C.↗

RF Environment Data Analysis for UAS Operations

As the usage of radio frequency spectrum and uncrewed aircraft systems continue to grow, the radio frequency environment and its implications to flight safety should be understood. This is important to ensure control and command links as well as data collection links maintain strong communications during flight. NASA System-Wide Safety (SWS) is currently developing standards of flight safety but lacks methods for establishing confidence in the availability of radio frequency space to make a go/no-go decision for drone flights. This study examines information about the radio modules used by SWS and how they interact with the RF environment though analysis of historical spectrum data. This review studies the potential effectiveness of observing the power spread and occupancy methods as they apply to the flight system radios. It has been determined that viewing the frequency and time when the environment is greater than a threshold which indicates potential interference levels may give insight into the patterns of spectrum usage.

Radio Frequency↗

SETI Pulse Detection Algorithm: Analysis of False-alarm Rates

Some earlier work by the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Science Working Group (SWG) on the derivation of spectrum analyzer thresholds for a pulse detection algorithm based on an analysis of false alarm rates is extended. The algorithm previously analyzed was intended to detect a finite sequence of i periodically spaced pulses that did not necessarily occupy the entire observation interval. This algorithm would recognize the presence of such a signal only if all i-received pulse powers exceeded a threshold T(i): these thresholds were selected to achieve a desired false alarm rate, independent of i. To simplify the analysis, it was assumed that the pulses were synchronous with the spectrum sample times. This analysis extends the earlier effort to include infinite and/or asynchronous pulse trains. Furthermore, to decrease the possibility of missing an extraterrestrial intelligence signal, the algorithm was modified to detect a pulse train even if some of the received pulse powers fall below the threshold. The analysis employs geometrical arguments that make it conceptually easy to incorporate boundary conditions imposed on the derivation of the false alarm rates. While the exact results can be somewhat complex, simple closed form approximations are derived that produce a negligible loss of accuracy.

Levitt, B. K.↗

On the determination of the cosmic infrared background radiation from the high-energy spectrum of extragalactic gamma-ray sources

In a recent paper Stecker, De Jager, & Salamon have suggested using the observed approximately MeV to TeV spectra of extragalactic gamma-ray sources as probes of the local density of the cosmic infrared background radiation (CIBR) and have subsequently claimed a first possible measurement of the CIBR from the analysis of the gamma-ray spectrum of Mrk 421 (De Jager, Stecker, & Salamon). The CIBR from normal galaxies consists of two components: a stellar emission component (CIBRs), and a thermal dust emission component (CIBRd). Photons with energies in the approximately 0.1-2 TeV range interact primarily with the CIBRs, whereas interactions with CIBRd dominate the absorption of photons in the approximately 2-100 TeV energy range. SDS 92 and DSS94 considered only the interaction of the gamma-rays with the dust emission component of the CIBR. We present here an improved analysis of the absorption of extragalactic TeV gamma rays by the CIBR, taking the dual nature of its origin into account. Applying the analysis to the observed gamma-ray spectrum of Mrk 421, a BL Lac object at z = 0.031, we find agreement with DSS94 tentative evidence for absorption by the CINRs. Our analysis therefore limits the detection of the CIBR to the approximately 15-40 micron wavelength regime which, considering the uncertainties in the highest energy (greater than 4 TeV) data and ion the possibility of absorption inside the source, many turn out to be an upper limit on its energy density. At shorter wavelengths (lambda approximately = 1-15 microns), where the gamma-ray interactions are dominated by the CIBRs, our analysis definitely yields only an upper limit on the energy density of the CIBR. In contrast, DSS94 have claimed a possible first measurement of the CIBR over the entire 1-120 micron wavelength region. The upper limit on the CIBRs and tentative detection of the CIBRd are consistent with normal galaxies contributing most of the energy to the CIBR, and constrain the contribution of some exotic sources. With careful modeling of infrared foreground emissions, these constraints on the CIBR are above the values measurable by the DIRBE experiment on board the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite.

Dwek, Eli↗

An Eigenvalue Analysis of finite-difference approximations for hyperbolic IBVPs

The eigenvalue spectrum associated with a linear finite-difference approximation plays a crucial role in the stability analysis and in the actual computational performance of the discrete approximation. The eigenvalue spectrum associated with the Lax-Wendroff scheme applied to a model hyperbolic equation was investigated. For an initial-boundary-value problem (IBVP) on a finite domain, the eigenvalue or normal mode analysis is analytically intractable. A study of auxiliary problems (Dirichlet and quarter-plane) leads to asymptotic estimates of the eigenvalue spectrum and to an identification of individual modes as either benign or unstable. The asymptotic analysis establishes an intuitive as well as quantitative connection between the algebraic tests in the theory of Gustafsson, Kreiss, and Sundstrom and Lax-Richtmyer L(sub 2) stability on a finite domain.

Warming, Robert F.↗

An eigenvalue analysis of finite-difference approximations for hyperbolic IBVPs

The eigenvalue spectrum associated with a linear finite-difference approximation plays a crucial role in the stability analysis and in the actual computational performance of the discrete approximation. The eigenvalue spectrum associated with the Lax-Wendroff scheme applied to a model hyperbolic equation was investigated. For an initial-boundary-value problem (IBVP) on a finite domain, the eigenvalue or normal mode analysis is analytically intractable. A study of auxiliary problems (Dirichlet and quarter-plane) leads to asymptotic estimates of the eigenvalue spectrum and to an identification of individual modes as either benign or unstable. The asymptotic analysis establishes an intuitive as well as quantitative connection between the algebraic tests in the theory of Gustafsson, Kreiss, and Sundstrom and Lax-Richtmyer L (sub 2) stability on a finite domain.

Warming, Robert F.↗

The Portable Instant Display and Analysis Spectrometer (PIDAS)

A field spectrometer covering the range 0.4 to 2.5 microns was developed that acquires spectra in 2 seconds at 872 points within the spectrum. The Portable Instant Display and Analysis Spectrometer (PIDAS) can acquire spectra every 8 seconds and stores up to 288 spectra in bubble memory. A hand held display unit allows for display of the current spectrum acquired and superimposed on one of 128 permanently stored library spectra. PIDAS represents a major advance in the technology of field spectral data acquisition and for the first time makes possible the acquisition of enough spectra to characterize the mean and intraclass variance within a LANDSAT MSS or TM pixel.

Goetz, Alexander F. H.↗

The vulnerability of electric equipment to carbon fibers of mixed lengths: An analysis

The susceptibility of a stereo amplifier to damage from a spectrum of lengths of graphite fibers was calculated. A simple analysis was developed by which such calculations can be based on test results with fibers of uniform lengths. A statistical analysis was applied for the conversation of data for various logical failure criteria.

Elber, W.↗

The cosmic ray spectrum above 10(17) eV

The final analysis of the data obtained by the Sydney University Giant Airshower Recorder (SUGAR) is presented. The data has been reanalysed to take into account the effects of afterpulsing in the photomultiplier tubes. Event data was used to produce a spectrum of equivalent vertical muon number and from this a model dependent primary energy spectrum was obtained. These spectra show good evidence for the Ankle: a flattening at 10(19) eV. There is no sign of the cut-off which would be expected from the effects of the universal black body radiation.

Winn, M. M.↗

The use and misuse of statistical analyses

The statistical techniques most often used in space physics include Fourier analysis, linear correlation, auto- and cross-correlation, power spectral density, and superposed epoch analysis. Tests are presented which can evaluate the significance of the results obtained through each of these. Data presented without some form of error analysis are frequently useless, since they offer no way of assessing whether a bump on a spectrum or on a superposed epoch analysis is real or merely a statistical fluctuation. Among many of the published linear correlations, for instance, the uncertainty in the intercept and slope is not given, so that the significance of the fitted parameters cannot be assessed.

Reiff, P. H.↗

Temperature dependence of optical properties of GaAs

The effect of temperature on the optical properties of GaAs was investigated using spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements, between room temperature and about 610 C in increments of 50 C, of pseudodielectric functions and related optical constants of GaAs. A quantitative analysis of the pseudodielectric function spectrum was carried out using a harmonic-oscillator approximation (HOA) to fit the measured dielectric functions. Good fits were obtained with this model, which provides a convenient means of reproducing the GaAs dielectric function at any temperature, by using the temperature-dependent oscillator parameters. The HOA analysis also provides information about band-gap variation with temperature. Using the measured optical constants at a number of fixed temperatures, an algorithm was developed for computing the dielectric function spectrum at an arbitrary temperature in the range 22-610 C.

Yao, Huade↗

Space Network Devices Developed

The NASA Glenn Research Center through a contract with Spectrum Astro, Inc., has been developing space network hardware as an enabling technology using open systems interconnect (OSI) standards for space-based communications applications. The OSI standard is a well-recognized layered reference model that specifies how data should be sent node to node in a communications network. Because of this research and technology development, a space-qualifiable Ethernet-based network interface card (similar to the type found in a networked personal computer) and the associated four-port hub were designed and developed to flight specifications. During this research and development, there also have been many lessons learned for determining approaches for migrating existing spacecraft architectures to an OSI-network-based platform. Industry has recognized the benefits of targeting hardware developed around OSI standards such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) or similar protocols for use in future generations of space communication systems. Some of these tangible benefits include overall reductions in mission schedule and cost and in system complexity. This development also brings us a step closer to the realization of a principal investigator on a terrestrial Internet site being able to interact with space platform assets in near real time. To develop this hardware, Spectrum Astro first conducted a technology analysis of alternatives study. For this analysis, they looked at the features of three protocol specifications: Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), Firewire (IEEE 1394), and Spacewire (IEEE 1355). A thorough analysis was performed on the basis of criteria such as current protocol performance and suitability for future space applications. Spectrum Astro also projected future influences such as cost, hardware and software availability, throughput performance, and integration procedures for current and transitive space architectures. After a thorough analysis, Ethernet was chosen because it was seen as the best longer term fit because of the prevalent commercial market; the current and projected availability of hardware, software, and development tools; and the ease of architecture integration.

Jones, Robert E.↗

The high-energy diffuse cosmic gamma-ray background radiation from blazars

We predict the spectrum and flux of the high-energy diffuse cosmic gamma-ray background radiation produced by blazars. Our calculations are based on the Compton Observatory EGRET observations of high-energy gamma-rays from these objects, the Whipple observation of TeV gamma-rays from Mrk 421, and radio population studies of flat-spectrum radio sources. Our statistical analysis gives a result consistent with a linear correlation. We then use the radio luminosity function and redshift evolution to calculate the gamma-ray background. We find that blazars cannot account for the flux level or steep spectrum of the background observed by SAS 2 in the sub-GeV range, but could likely provide the dominant background component in the multi-GeV energy range and above. We predict a differential photon spectral index for this component of about 2 up to about 10 GeV. Above that energy, the spectrum should gradually steepen owing to pair production by interactions of the gamma-rays with intergalactic infrared photons. Using the calculations of this effect by Stecker et al. (1992), we estimate a spectral index of about 3.5 for energies above a TeV.

Stecker, F. W.↗

Mineralogy and Thermal Properties of V-Type Asteroid 956 Elisa: Evidence for Diogenitic Material from the Spitzer IRS (5-35 Micrometers) Spectrum

We present the thermal infrared (5-35 micrometer) spectrum of 956 Elisa as measured by the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph ("IRS"; Houck,1.R. et .11. [20041. Astrophys, 1. SuppL 154, 18-24) together with new ground-based lightcurve data and near-IR spectra. From the visible lightcurve photometry, we determine a rotation period of 16.494 +/- 0.001 h, identify the rotational phase of the Spitzer observations, and estimate the visible absolute magnitude (Hv) at that rotational phase to be 12.58 +/- 0.04. From radiometric analysis of the thermal flux spectrum, we find that at the time of observation 956 Elisa had a projected radius of 5.3 +/- 0.4 km with a visible albedo pv = 0.142+/- 0.022, significantly lower than that of the prototype V-type asteroid, 4 Vesta. (This corresponds to a radius of 5.2 +/- 0.4 km at lightcurve mean.) Analysis with the standard thermal model (STM) results in a sub-solar temperature of 292.3 +/- 2.8 K and beaming parameter eta = 1.16 +/- 0.05. Thermophysical modeling places a lower limit of 20 J m(exp -2)K(exp -1)s(exp -1/2) on the thermal inertia of the asteroid's surface layer (if the surface is very smooth) but more likely values fall between 30 and 150 J m(exp -2)K(exp -1)s(exp -1/2) depending on the sense of rotation. The emissivity spectrum, calculated by dividing the measured thermal flux spectrum by the modeled thermal continuum, exhibits mineralogically interpretable spectral features within the 9-12 micrometer reststrahlen band, the 15-16.5 micrometer Si-O-Si stretching region, and the 16-25 micrometer reststrahlen region that are consistent with pyroxene of diogenitic composition: extant diogenitic pyroxenes fall within the narrow compositional range W0(sub 2+/-1)En(sub 74+/-2)Fs(sub 24+/-1). Spectral deconvolution of the 9-12 micrometer reststrahlen features indicates that up to approximately 20% olivine may also be present, suggesting an olivine-diogenite-like mineralogy. The mid-IR spectrum is inconsistent with non-cumulate eucrite as the major component on the surface of 956 Elisa, although cumulate eucrite material may be present at abundances lower than that of the diogenite component. Analysis of new near-IR spectra of 956 Elisa with the Modified Gaussian Model (MGM; Sunshine, J,M., Pieters, C.M., Pratt, S.F.[1990]. J. Geophys. Res, 95 (May), 6955-6966) results in two pyroxene compositions: 75% magnesian low-Ca pyroxene and 25% high-Ca pyroxene. High-Ca pyroxene is not evident in the mid-IR data, but may belong to a component that is underrepresented in the mid-IR spectrum either because of its spatial distribution on the asteroid or because of its particle size. High-Ca pyroxenes that occur as exsolution lamellae may also be more evident spectrally in the NIR than in the mid-IR. In any case, we find that the mid-IR spectrum of 956 Elisa is dominated by emission from material of diogenite- like composition, which has very rarely been observed among asteroids.

Lim, Lucy F.↗